Chapter 4: Psychoanalysis

Question 1

Define: Blank screen

Answer 1

A mechanism therapists employ with clients in classical psychoanalysis. A stature of anonymity with lack of self-disclosure. Aimed to foster transference.

Question 2

Define: Borderline Personality

Answer 2

A personality disorder with symptoms of unstable and extreme moods, self-sabotaging behaviour, impulsivity. These people lack their own sense of self and are not able to deeply connect to or understand others.

Question 3

Define: Brief Psychodynamic Theory (BPT)

Answer 3

Evolved from classical psychoanalytic theory, this therapy is aimed at a truncated therapy time period using similar principles. Therapist develops a plan to target usually one major issue effectively in a shorter amount of time.

Question 4

Define: Collective Unconscious

Answer 4

Jungian theory that is a deep level of the human psyche containing all experiences inherited within the human condition.

Question 5

Define: Countertransference

Answer 5

The therapist experiences personally unresolved inner issues that become projected onto the client. This can interfere with client objectivity.

Question 6

Define: Ego

Answer 6

Freudian concept: the part of the person’s personality that acts as a median between external world and inner demands.

Question 7

Define: Ego Defense Mechanisms

Answer 7

An inner framework of mechanisms that work to protect the individual from anxiety. An unconscious series of mechanisms, avoiding certain thoughts, feelings and impulses.

Question 8

Define: Ego Psychology

Answer 8

Erik Erikson’s psychosocial approach of psychoanalysis. Focuses on the development of the self at various stages of life.

Question 9

Define: Fixation

Answer 9

When someone is stuck at a particular level of psychosocial development.

Question 10

Define: Free association

Answer 10

A technique implement by which the client freely verbalizes without restriction. This gives clues to the client’s inner life.

Question 11

Define: Id

Answer 11

Freudian concept of the part of personality at birth. Blind, demanding and insistent. It releases tension and restores to homeostasis.

Question 12

Define: Identity crisis

Answer 12

Said to occur in adolescence. The person seeks to rebalance and find a stable sense of self and define a place in life.

Question 13

Define: Individuation

Answer 13

The goal to psychotherapy. When the conscious and unconscious part so the personality integrate.

Question 14

Define: Libido

Answer 14

Related to the id, the primal part of the personality. It is the driving force of psychic energy.

Question 15

Define: Narcissism

Answer 15

Personality disorder. A grandiose sense of self, exploits others. Masking a shallow self identity. Needs to be seen as loved by others or will discard.

Question 16

Define: Object-relatedness

Answer 16

Relationships with others as represented in the psyche.

Question 17

Define: Object-relations theory

Answer 17

An evolution of contemporary psychoanalysis. Earlier experiences of self adjust related to an increased awareness of others. Autism, normal symbiosis, separation, and individuation result in integration.

Question 18

Define: Psychodynamics

Answer 18

Provides a way of understanding human motivation through a study of conflict, both in external influences and inner disruption.

Question 19

Define: Psychosexual stages

Answer 19

Freudian’s clarified developmental stages. Each has a primary mode of achieving sexual gratification. Begins in infancy.

Question 20

Define: Psychosocial stages

Answer 20

Erikson. Crises, or turning points, representative of psychological or social tasks that must be fulfilled to elevate to the next developmental stage successfully.

Question 21

Define: Reaction formation

Answer 21

A defense against an impulse considered to be threatening. The opposite impulse is expressed.

Question 22

Define: Relational analysis

Answer 22

A model of analysis that values the relational dynamic between client and therapist. It seeks information about the client’s character when countertransference occurs.

Question 23

Define: Repression

Answer 23

Stressful thoughts and feelings are buried for self-defence. Originating from the ego out of self protection.

Question 24

Define: Resistance

Answer 24

A client’s antagonism of elucidating unconscious material.

Question 25

Define: Shadow

Answer 25

Jungian concept. An archetype that we project thoughts, feelings. and actions outwardly in an attempt to disown them.

Question 26

Define: Superego

Answer 26

Personality aspect that strives for perfection, vs. pleasure. Morally trained.

Question 27

Define: Transference

Answer 27

A dynamic of the client therapist relationship whereby the client projects thoughts and feelings toward the therapist that were experienced at an earlier time in life.

Question 28

Define: Unconscious

Answer 28

The psyche houses experiences, desires, impulses or memories in an out of awareness manner for protection of the feelings associated.

Question 29

Define: Working through

Answer 29

Resolving transference. Achieved repeating interpretations and elucidating forms of resistance.

Question 30

What are the 3 contemporary psychoanalysis trends?

Answer 30

Object-relations theory, self psychology and relational psychoanalysis

Question 31

What was Erik Erickson responsible for?

Answer 31

Ego psychology, and psychosocial theories.

Question 32

What is self-psychology?

Answer 32

Developed by Heinz Kohut, emphasizing interpersonal relationships (related to people as objects) to develop our own sense of self.

Question 33

What were Anna Freud's contributions?

Answer 33

Contributed to ego psychology with emphasis on the study of defense mechanisms and adapting psychoanalysis for children and adolescents.

Question 34

What were Otto Kernberg's contributions?

Answer 34

Integrated ideas of contemporary psychoanalysis from object relations theories.

Question 35

What are the needs declared by Freud for each of the 8 stages of life?

Answer 35

Infant: Oral 1-3: Anal 3-6: Phallic (Oedipal/Elektra) 6-12: Latency 12-death: Genital

Question 36

What are the needs declared by Erikson for each of the 8 stages of life?

Answer 36

Infant: Trust vs. mistrust 1-3: Autonomy vs. shame & doubt 3-6: Initiative vs. guilt 6-12: Industry vs. inferiority 12-18: Identity vs. role confusion 18-35: Intimacy vs. isolation 35-60: Generativity vs. stagnation 60+: Integrity vs. despair

Question 37

What were Margaret Mahler's contributions?

Answer 37

Influenced the contemporary object-relations theory with observing children ages 1-3, with health separation-individuation from the mother. 'Normal infantile autism' (infant is responding to physiological tensions, sees mother as continuation of the self), symbiosis, separation-individuation.

Question 38

Describe the psychoanalytic view of human nature, noting any differences between the views of Freud and Jung.

Answer 38

Based on the idea that much of human nature is governed by unconscious processes that were imprinted and affected by our past, particularly in young childhood. Freud emphasized repressed desires and unresolved conflicts. He believed the mind was inclusive of 3 distinct parts: the Id (primal, since birth, return to homeostasis, release tension, pleasure principle, no delayed gratification). Ego (mediates the id and external reality,) superego (morale righteousness, in conflict with the id). Freud emphasized psychosexual stages (oral, anal, phallic, genital, latency), and the oedipal/elektra complex, developing unconscious sexual desires for parent of opposite sex. He also emphasized repression and defense mechanisms from the ego to protect anxiety associated with sexual or aggressive urges. Jung emphasized personal vs. collective unconscious, the humans desire for integration of conscious and unconscious to result in individuation, self realization, self actualization. He spoke of the archetypes the Shadow, the Anima/Animus, and the Self. Differences: Freud saw repressed desires to be individual. Jung saw them as universally human (C. Unc.) Jung saw libido as a creative expressive driving force, less focus on sexuality. Freud's goal was elucidating repressed desires. Jung's goal was individuation.

Question 39

Explain how ego defences help individuals cope with anxiety. How does this concept influence the psychoanalytic approach to client 'problems'?

Answer 39

According to Freud, ego defences protect the individual from having to face and experience the anxiety associated with shameful repressed sexual or aggressive desires or conflicts, that the superego, our moral compass, may disapprove of. A goal of psychoanalytic therapy is to release the emotional energy associated with these repressed feelings and accept them so that they are no longer subconsiously disrupting the client's life.

Question 40

What are the 8 forms of ego defence mechanisms?

Answer 40

1. Repression: The unconscious blocking of painful or anxiety-inducing thoughts, memories, or feelings. For example, someone who experienced trauma may not consciously remember the event because it is repressed into the unconscious mind. 2. Denial: Refusing to acknowledge reality or a painful truth. An individual who is addicted to a substance may deny their addiction despite clear evidence of its negative impact. 3.Projection: Attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings or thoughts onto someone else. For example, a person who is angry may accuse others of being angry, thereby projecting their own emotions onto them. 4. Rationalization: Creating logical-sounding explanations to justify or excuse behaviors that might otherwise provoke guilt or anxiety. For example, someone who failed a test might say, "I didn’t need to pass anyway, the test was unfair." 5. Displacement: Redirecting emotions from the original source of stress to a safer or more acceptable target. For example, someone who is angry at their boss may go home and take out their frustration by arguing with family members. 6. Sublimation: Redirecting negative or unacceptable impulses into positive, socially acceptable actions. For instance, someone with aggressive tendencies may channel that energy into sports or creative work. 7.Reaction Formation: Acting in the opposite way to one’s actual feelings, especially when those feelings are anxiety-provoking. For example, a person who is secretly jealous of a colleague might overcompensate by acting overly friendly or supportive. 8.Intellectualization: Detaching from the emotional experience and focusing on rational or abstract aspects of the situation. For example, someone going through a divorce might focus only on the logistical details (e.g., finances) rather than confronting the emotional pain.

Question 41

How are ego defence mechanisms used to client growth?

Answer 41

1. Defence mechanism recognition and evaluation 2. Transference and 'working through' 3. Uncovering the root (free association, dream analysis, interpretation). 4. Balancing defences and adaptation.

Question 42

In what ways do Erikson's stages of psychosocial development represent an evolution of Freud's perspective? Describe the similarities and difference of their approaches.

Answer 42

Erickson stages of development from infancy to adulthood, whereas Freud focuses on childhood. Erickson outlines specific associated conflicts that must be effectively resolved for healthy individuation that are influenced by society and culture, versus specifically biology and sexuality, as per Freud. Freud is all on psychosexual conflict, related to needs or desires. Erickson is on social relationships and psychosocial conflict, related to personal qualities. Both agree on early childhood sensitivity in shaping life later in adulthood.

Question 43

Describe the client-therapist relationship in analytic therapy, and explain the importance of transference during the therapeutic process.

Answer 43

Use of the blank slate, therapist anonymity, is a practice to foster transference so that repressed emotional states can be analyzed, surfaced, and integrated in a process of 'working through'. Catharsis is the release of pent up emotions. The process is helpful in surfacing earlier childhood conflict with primary care givers in the process of mirroring.

Question 44

Identity the main strengths and weaknesses of the psychoanalytic approach to facilitating client change.

Answer 44

Strengths: focus on uncovering unconscious conflict, exploration of early childhood, emphasis on the therapeutic relationship (transference), long term, in depth treatment, focus on deep understanding of self for personal growth. Weaknesses: timely and costly; lack of empirical evidence compared to CBT; overemphasis on the past vs. present issues; barrier to engagement with complex terminology; therapist dependency; not easy to facilitate for everyday problem solving.