personality Flashcards
(48 cards)
What three concepts encapsulate the psychodynamic approach according to Freud?
The unconscious mind, interactive structure of the psyche and psychosexual development.
What is the conscious mind responsible for?
Rational, goal-directed thoughts that hold information we are aware of at any given time. It includes thinking and feeling; being present in the moment; feelings and perceptions.
What is the preconscious mind responsible for?
Information that we are aware of, but is not currently in our conscious thoughts. This can be retrieved from memory and stored knowledge.
What is the unconscious mind responsible for?
The keeper of our darkest wishes, fears, unacceptable sexual desires, instincts and trauma-based memories. Unconscious thoughts may leak into consciousness and affect behaviour in unexpected ways; it represses all information that could cause psychological distress if it were to move to the conscious mind comprises the ID.
What are the three interactive structures of the psyche?
The ID, ego and superego.
Unresolved conflict between the three structures of the psyche results in…
…the development of abnormal psychopathology.
What are characteristics of the ID? (list 6)
- Based on pleasure principle
- Exists from birth (innate)
- Driver of instinctive and primitive urges
- Demands immediate gratification
- The unconscious motivator of libido and aggressive drive
- Completely selfish
What are characteristics of the ego? (list 6)
- Based on reality principle
- Develops within first few years of life
- Mediator between demands of ID and morals of superego
- Responsible for the development of a balanced personality
- The component of personality considered one’s true self
- Develops with self-concept
What are characteristics of superego? (list 6)
- Based on morality principle
- Last structure to develop
- Informs us of the obligations and expectations of society
- Develops through socialisation, family and culture (by 5 years)
- Responsible for the sense of guilt and shame
- Aligns to the preconscious
List the stages of psychosexual development.
Oral stage (birth - 18 months), anal stage (18 months - 3 years), phallic stage (3/4 years - 7 years), latency stage (6/7 years - puberty) and genital stage (puberty onwards).
Define the oral stage.
The erogenous zone is the mouth, with a focus on feeding and weaning. Fixation at this stage results in over-under eating, smoking, nail biting and excessive talking.
Define the anal stage.
The erogenous zone is the anus, with a focus on toilet training. Fixation at this stage results in being either anal expulsive or anal retentive. Anal compulsive leads to messy and over-sharing tendencies, whilst anal retentive prompts the individual to be obsessively tidy and orderly, rigid and authoritarian.
Define the phallic stage.
The erogenous zone is the genitals, with a focus on sexual identification, oedipus complex and electra complex. Fixation at this stage can result in narcissistic behaviour, exhibitionist tendencies, vanity, compulsive sexual behaviour and aggression.
What is oedipus/electra complex
The attachment of the child to the parent of the opposite sex, accompanied by envious and aggressive feelings toward the parent of the same sex. Oedipus correlates with boys, whilst electra corresponds with girls.
Define the latency stage.
The erogenous zone is the dormant sexual urges, with a focus on learning and same sex relationships. Fixation at this stage can result in an inability to form fulfilling relationships as an adult and immaturity.
Define the genital stage.
The erogenous zone is the genitals, with a focus on intimate relationships.
What are strengths of Freud’s psychodynamic approach to personality?
- Focuses on the effect of childhood experiences in shaping adult interpersonal patterns
- Emphasises that human thought and action are laden with meaning
What are weaknesses of Freud’s psychodynamic approach to personality?
- There is a lack of empirical evidence
- Reliability is compromised due to the reliance on subjective thought
- There was no formal scientific research that tested a hypothesis
- Difficult to apply generalisations to broader populations due to the use of case studies
- Excludes cultural and social factors
Defence mechanisms - dont forget
Describe the humanistic approach to personality.
Focuses on the individual’s capacity to make their own choices, create their own style of life, and actualise themselves in their own way. It is a holistic approach that places emphasis on the development of human potential through experimental means rather than the analysis of the unconscious
How was Maslow’s hierarchy of needs formed?
Maslow studied historical figures he thought were exceptional in their careers, believing that these people had ‘self-actualised’
What is self-actualisation?
It refers to how a person is capable to function at their maximum development of abilities and full involvement in and appreciation for life; these manifest as peak experiences.
What are peak experiences?
A moment of awe, ecstasy or sudden insight into life; these may occur for people in pursuit of self-actualisation.
What are the components of physiological needs?
Air, food, water, shelter, warmth, sleep and reproduction.
