Lec 2 Flashcards
(37 cards)
What is Freud’s view of the person based on energy systems?
Natural science decomposes physical phenomena into energy systems.
This view parallels thermodynamics.
What is somatization in psychology?
It suggests psychological causes for physical symptoms, like pain without a physical cause.
What are the three core ideas about mental energy according to Freud?
- Limited amount of energy
- Energy does not disappear, but gets channeled
- The mind functions to achieve a state of quiescence
What is the significance of recalling forgotten traumas in Anna O’s case?
Symptoms were relieved upon recalling traumas, suggesting past events affect us unconsciously.
What are the levels of consciousness defined by Freud?
- Conscious: we are aware, e.g. listening during a lecture
- Preconscious: still have control but not think about something
- Unconscious: can’t observe or direct our attention (only level)
What is manifest content in dreams?
The storyline or surface-level narrative of a dream.
What is latent content in dreams?
The unconscious ideas, emotions, and drives that are represented in the dream’s storyline.
What is the purpose of Freud’s scientific approach to dreams?
To understand how nightmares can fulfill wishes and to address the weirdness of dreams.
What are the three structures of Freud’s structural model?
- Conscious
* Ego: dealing with reality as we cannot always fulfil our impulses (biological needs) - Preconscious
* Superego: moral principles, innate feeling internalized into the unconscious - Unconscious
* Id: instinct, seek pleasure as needed
Note: these are energy systems that cannot be created nor destroyed
What is the relationship between anxiety and defense mechanisms?
Anxiety arises from inhibiting energy expression, leading to the use of defense mechanisms.
Note: inhibition occurs when the superego’s moral principles contrains the animalistic drive of the id
=> escape anxiety via defense mechanisms
Name two common defense mechanisms.
- Denial
- Projection
What does sublimation refer to?
Transforming libido into socially useful achievements. E.g. art or songs
What are the stages of psychosexual development proposed by Freud?
- Oral stage: eating; knows not the center of world
- Anal stage: exert control over yourself
- Phallic stage: castration anxeity vs penis envy
- Latency stage
- Genital stage
=> dormancy and reawakening of the sex drive
Note: development of personality is fixed in first 5-6 years of age
What is the main conflict during the Anal stage?
Control over bowel movements and the struggle between Id and Superego.
What is the significance of projective tests in psychoanalysis?
They allow the unconscious content to be projected onto ambiguous stimuli.
What are some criticisms of projective tests?
- Inconsistent responses
- Lack of objective validity
- Low ecological validity
What does Freud’s psychopathology suggest about childhood experiences?
Psychopathology emerges from psychosexual fixations and unresolved childhood traumas.
=> he used talk therapy, not projection tests
=> patients are fixated on the stage that was not resolved
What personality traits are associated with oral fixation?
- Demandingness
- Dependence
- Oral aggressiveness
What is fixation in the context of Freud’s theory?
Erogenous stage over gratified, see no need to move on to next stage.
This can lead to behaviors such as smoking in adults with oral fixation.
What developmental events are associated with the oral stage?
Weaning and teething.
The personality traits of oral fixation include demandingness and dependence.
What are the personality traits associated with oral fixation?
Demandingness, dependence, oral aggressiveness.
What happens if a child is punished too strictly during the anal stage?
They may develop stubbornness and obsessive-compulsive traits.
What is the central developmental event in the phallic stage?
Oedipal complex and identification with the same-sex parent.
What personality traits can develop in boys during the phallic stage?
Exhibitionistic personality.
