ap psych 4 psychodynamic and freud

• psychodynamic theory of personality- personality is shaped by unconscious drives, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts

• unconscious mind plays crucial role in shaping behavior and personality

sigmund freud:

• Austrian neurologist

• became interested with treating hsyteria patients with hypnosis

• developed methodology of free association

• became interested in dream analysis

• freud believes these techniques were a window to the “unconcious mind”

• developed idea if id, ego, and superego to explain human behavior

psychodynamic structural model of the mind:

• id- primitive instincts, caveman/woman, devil inside

  • unconscious part of psyche that reacts on pleasure seeking

• superego- moral conscience, perfection, angel

  • part of psyche that embodies right and wrong, moral ideas

  • criticizes unacceptable thoughts with guilt

  • aspirations

• ego- reality-oriented, logical reasoning

• preconscious level- acts as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind, consists of stored memories, experiences, and knowledge that we are not actively thinking about but can recall when needed.

• psychodynamic defense mechanisms- psychological strategies used by the ego to protect a person from anxiety, conflict, or distress

  • repression- pushing distressing thoughts or memories into the unconscious to avoid anxiety

  • denial- refusing to accept reality to avoid distress

  • projection- attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else

  • displacement- redirecting emotions from the actual source to a safer target

  • regression- reverting to a childlike state when faced with stress

  • rationalization- justifying behaviors with logical but false explanations

  • reaction formation- acting in the opposite way of one’s true feelings

  • sublimation- channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable actions

• projective tests- tests used by psychodynamic psychologists to reveal the unconscious mind; personality test in which person offers responses to ambiguous scenes, words, or images

  • person’s response to test thought to reflect hidden conflicts or emotions

  • Rorschach inkblot test- presenting individuals with. series of symmetrical inkblots and asking them what they see; responses are to gain insight into persons unconscious thoughts or feelings

  • thematic apperception test (tat)- test uses series of picture cards depicting scene open to interpretation (missy and sheldon young sheldon)

  • house tree person (htp)- participants draw all three and this projects their subconscious feelings; person = self perceptions, tree = growth, stability, and emotional health, house = familial reflections

humanistic theories of personality:

• humanistic theories of personality- theories that focus on potential for healthy personal growth

  • individual has conscious choice

  • people = inherently good

  • emphasis on free will, with ability to change one’s personality for the better

  • innate drive for better self

  • personality develops based on the needs for acceptance and personal growth

• hierarchy of needs

  • phys needs, safety needs, love and belonging, esteem needs, self-actualization

• self-concept- how one perceives self

• real self- how you are right now

• ideal self- how you would like to be

  • humanists see your personality of self-concept consisting of real and ideal self

• self-actualization- describes transforming real self into ideal self

  • people motivated by this

• a positive and supportive social environment is important to humanistic theory

  • to develop self-concept and seek self-actualization, need an environment with

    • unconditional positive regard- accepting a person without conditions or judgment

    • genuineness- being authentic, transparent, and honest in relationships

    • empathy- understanding and sharing another person’s feelings without judging