Psychoanalytic Theory

Question 1

What is the focus of psychoanalytic theory?

Answer 1

The influence of the unconscious, early childhood, and instinctual drives on behavior.

Question 2

What does it mean that psychoanalytic theory is deterministic?

Answer 2

• Reality anxiety – Fear of real-world dangers.
• Neurotic anxiety – Fear that unconscious desires will surface and lead to punishment.
• Moral anxiety – Guilt from violating internalized moral standards.

Question 3

Define archetypes in the context of Carl Jung’s theory.

Answer 3

It assumes behavior is largely shaped by forces outside conscious awareness.

Question 4

What are the three structures of personality according to Freud?

Answer 4

Id (instincts), Ego (mediator), Superego (morality).

Question 5

What is the function of the Id?

Answer 5

Operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification.

Question 6

What is the role of the Ego?

Answer 6

Operates on the reality principle, mediating between id and reality.

Question 7

What is the Superego?

Answer 7

Internalized moral standards and the conscience.

Question 8

What are Freud’s three levels of consciousness?

Answer 8

Conscious, Preconscious, and Unconscious.

Question 9

What is the conscious mind?

Answer 9

Thoughts and perceptions currently in awareness.

Question 10

What is the preconscious mind?

Answer 10

Memories and knowledge easily brought to awareness.

Question 11

What is the unconscious mind?

Answer 11

Repressed memories, desires, and unresolved conflicts.

Question 12

What are Freud’s five psychosexual stages?

Answer 12

Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital.

Question 13

What is the focus of the oral stage (0–1 year)?

Answer 13

Mouth; issues of dependence and trust.

Question 14

What is the focus of the anal stage (1–3 years)?

Answer 14

Bowel/bladder control; autonomy and discipline.

Question 15

What is libido according to Freud?

Answer 15

Originally defined as sexual energy, later expanded to include all life instincts.

Question 16

What is the focus of the phallic stage (3–6 years)?

Answer 16

Genitals; Oedipus/Electra complex.

Question 17

What is the focus of the latency stage (6–12 years)?

Answer 17

Socialization; repressed sexual energy.

Question 18

What is the focus of the genital stage (12+)?

Answer 18

Mature sexual intimacy and contribution to society.

Question 19

What is repression?

Answer 19

Excluding painful thoughts from awareness.

Question 20

What is denial?

Answer 20

Refusing to acknowledge an unpleasant reality.

Question 21

What is projection?

Answer 21

Attributing one’s own feelings to others.

Question 22

What is displacement?

Answer 22

Redirecting emotions to a safer target.

Question 23

What is rationalization?

Answer 23

Creating logical reasons to justify actions.

Question 24

What is reaction formation?

Answer 24

Acting in the opposite way of one’s feelings.

Question 25

What is regression?

Answer 25

Reverting to childlike behavior.

Question 26

What is introjection?

Answer 26

Adopting others’ values or standards.

Question 27

What is identification?

Answer 27

Boosting self-esteem by aligning with others.

Question 28

What is sublimation?

Answer 28

Channeling impulses into acceptable outlets.

Question 29

What is free association?

Answer 29

Client says whatever comes to mind to uncover the unconscious.

Question 30

What is dream analysis?

Answer 30

Interpreting manifest and latent dream content.

Question 31

What is interpretation in psychoanalysis?

Answer 31

Therapist explains the unconscious meaning of thoughts and behavior.

Question 32

What is transference?

Answer 32

Client projects feelings for others onto the therapist.

Question 33

What is countertransference?

Answer 33

Therapist’s emotional reaction to the client.

Question 34

What is resistance?

Answer 34

Unconscious defense against threatening material.

Question 35

What is working through?

Answer 35

Repetition and analysis of interpretations to produce change.

Question 36

What is the blank-screen approach?

Answer 36

Therapist remains neutral to facilitate transference.

Question 37

What psychosocial crisis happens in years 0-1 of Ericksons development model?

Answer 37

Trust vs. Mistrust

Question 38

What psychosocial crisis happens in years (1-3) of Ericksons development model?

Answer 38

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Question 39

What psychosocial crisis happens in years 3-6 of Ericksons development model?

Answer 39

Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years)

Question 40

What psychosocial crisis happens in years 6-12 of Ericksons development model?

Answer 40

Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)

Question 41

What psychosocial crisis happens in years 12-18 of Ericksons development model?

Answer 41

Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years)

Question 42

What psychosocial crisis happens in years 18-35 of Ericksons development model?

Answer 42

Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-35 years)

Question 43

What psychosocial crisis happens in years 35-60 of Ericksons development model?

Answer 43

Generativity vs. Stagnation (35-60 years)

Question 44

What psychosocial crisis happens in years 60+ of Ericksons development model?

Answer 44

Integrity vs. Despair (60+ years)

Question 45

What are archetypes?

Answer 45

Universal patterns or symbols in the unconscious.

Question 46

What is the persona (Jung)?

Answer 46

The mask we present to the world.

Question 47

What is individuation (Jung)?

Answer 47

Integration of all parts of the psyche to form a whole self.

Question 48

What did Erikson add to Freud's theory?

Answer 48

Social and relational aspects of development across the lifespan.

Question 49

What is ego psychology?

Answer 49

Focuses on the ego’s role in defense, adaptation, and reality testing.

Question 50

What is object-relations theory?

Answer 50

Emphasizes early relationships in shaping the self.

Question 51

What is relational psychoanalysis?

Answer 51

Focuses on mutual influence in the therapist-client relationship.

Question 52

What are strengths of psychoanalytic theory?

Answer 52

Insight into unconscious processes and early development; foundation for other therapies.

Question 53

What are limitations of psychoanalytic theory?

Answer 53

Time-consuming, expensive, and difficult to empirically validate.