Approaches in psychology Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is introspection, and who is the psychologist who suggested it?
The examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes.
Wilhelm Wundt.
What does the psychodynamic approach include and who suggested it?
The role of the unconscious, the structure of personality that is Id, Ego, and Superego, defence mechanisms and psychosexual stages.
Sigmund Freud.
Define the unconscious mind in the psychodynamic approach.
The part of the mind that we are unaware of but which continues to direct much of our behaviour.
Define the Id.
Entirely unconscious, made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification.
Define the Ego.
The “reality check” that balances the conflicting demands of the id and the superego.
Define the Superego.
The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self.
What are defense mechanisms?
Unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego.
What are psycho-sexual stages?
According to Freud they are development stages every child goes through, at each stage there is a specific conflict which determines future development.
Give examples of defense mechanisms.
Repression Denial Projection Displacement Regression Sublimation Rationalization Reaction Formation Identification with the aggressor
Define repression.
Forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind.
Define denial.
Refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality.
Define projection.
Projecting undesirable feelings or emotions onto someone else, rather than admitting to or dealing with the unwanted feelings.
Define identification with the aggressor.
A focus on negative or feared traits. I.e., if you are afraid of someone, you can practically conquer that fear by becoming more like them.
Define regression.
This is a movement back in psychological time when one is faced with stress. When we are troubled or frightened, our behaviors often become more childish or primitive.
Define sublimation.
This is similar to displacement, but takes place when we manage to displace our emotions into a constructive rather than destructive activity. This might, for example, be artistic.
Define rationalization.
Rationalization is the cognitive distortion of “the facts” to make an event or an impulse less threatening. We do it often enough on a fairly conscious level when we provide ourselves with excuses.
Define reaction formation
This is where a person goes beyond denial and behaves in the opposite way to which he or she thinks or feels. By using the reaction formation, the id is satisfied while keeping the ego in ignorance of the true motives.
Usually, a reaction formation is marked by showiness and compulsiveness.
Give an example of reaction formation.
Freud claimed that men who are prejudice against homosexuals are making a defense against their own homosexual feelings by adopting a harsh anti-homosexual attitude which helps convince them of their heterosexuality.
The dutiful daughter who loves her mother is reacting to her Oedipus hatred of her mother.
Anal fixation usually leads to meanness, but occasionally a person will react against this (unconsciously) leading to over-generosity.
What are the 5 psycho-sexual stages?
Oral Anal Phallic Latency Genital
What is the oral stage?
0-1 years.
The libido is centered in a baby’s mouth. It gets much satisfaction from putting all sorts of things in its mouth to satisfy the libido, and thus its id demands. Which at this stage in life are oral, or mouth orientated, such as sucking, biting, and breastfeeding.
what is the anal stage?
The libido now becomes focused on the anus, and the child derives great pleasure from defecating and their ego has developed.
Adults impose restrictions on when and where the child can defecate. The nature of this first conflict with authority can determine the child’s future relationship with all forms of authority.
Early or harsh potty training can lead to the child becoming an anal-retentive personality who hates mess, is obsessively tidy, punctual and respectful of authority. They can be stubborn and tight-fisted with their cash and possessions. This is all related to pleasure got from holding on to their faeces when toddlers, and their mum’s then insisting that they get rid of it by placing them on the potty until they perform!
what is the anal stage?
The libido now becomes focused on the anus, and the child derives great pleasure from defecating and their ego has developed.
Adults impose restrictions on when and where the child can defecate. The nature of this first conflict with authority can determine the child’s future relationship with all forms of authority.
Early or harsh potty training can lead to the child becoming an anal-retentive personality who hates mess, is obsessively tidy, punctual and respectful of authority. They can be stubborn and tight-fisted with their cash and possessions. This is all related to pleasure got from holding on to their faeces when toddlers, and their mum’s then insisting that they get rid of it by placing them on the potty.
what is the anal stage?
The libido now becomes focused on the anus, and the child derives great pleasure from defecating and their ego has developed.
Adults impose restrictions on when and where the child can defecate. The nature of this first conflict with authority can determine the child’s future relationship with all forms of authority.
Early or harsh potty training can lead to the child becoming an anal-retentive personality.
What is meant by the term anally retentive?
Early or harsh potty training can lead to the child becoming an anal-retentive personality who HATES MESS, IS OBSESSIVELY TIDY, PUNCTUAL AND RESPECTFUL OF AUTHORITY. They can be STUBBORN and TIGHT-FISTED WITH CASH AND POSSESSIONS. This is all related to pleasure got from holding on to their faeces when toddlers, and their mum’s then insisting that they get rid of it by placing them on the potty.
