psychosexual stages

Question 1

What is the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

A perspective that describes the different forces (dynamics), most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience.

This approach emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior.

Question 2

What is the unconscious?

Answer 2

The part of the mind that we are unaware of but which directs much of our behaviour.

The unconscious mind contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are not accessible to conscious awareness.

Question 3

What is the Id?

Answer 3

Entirely unconscious, the Id is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification.

The Id operates on the pleasure principle, seeking instant pleasure and avoiding pain.

Question 4

What is the Ego?

Answer 4

The ‘reality check’ that balances the conflicting demands of the Id and the Superego.

The Ego operates on the reality principle, negotiating between the desires of the Id and the constraints of the Superego.

Question 5

What is the Superego?

Answer 5

The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self - how we ought to be.

The Superego develops through socialization and represents internalized ideals and standards.

Question 6

What are defence mechanisms?

Answer 6

Unconscious strategies that the Ego uses to manage the conflict between the Id and the Superego.

Common defence mechanisms include repression, denial, and projection.

Question 7

How many psychosexual stages are there?

Answer 7

Five developmental stages that all children pass through.

Each stage is characterized by a different conflict that influences personality development.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: The Id is made up of _______ aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification.

Answer 8

selfish

This reflects the basic desires and drives of the Id.

Question 9

True or False: The Superego is entirely unconscious.

Answer 9

False

The Superego is conscious and represents the moral standards of an individual.

Question 10

What does the Ego operate on?

Answer 10

The reality principle.

This means the Ego seeks to satisfy the Id’s desires in realistic and socially appropriate ways.

Question 11

What is the purpose of defence mechanisms?

Answer 11

To manage the conflict between the Id and the Superego.

They help reduce anxiety and maintain psychological balance.

Question 12

What did Sigmund Freud suggest about the conscious mind?

Answer 12

The conscious mind is merely the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and most of the mind is made up of the unconscious.

Question 13

What is the unconscious according to Freud?

Answer 13

A vast storehouse of biological drives and instincts that significantly influences behavior and personality.

Question 14

What types of memories does the unconscious contain?

Answer 14

Threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed or forgotten.

Question 15

How can repressed memories be accessed?

Answer 15

During dreams or through slips of the tongue, known as parapraxes.

Question 16

What is an example of a parapraxis?

Answer 16

Calling a female teacher ‘mum’ instead of ‘miss’.

Question 17

What is the preconscious?

Answer 17

A layer just below the conscious mind containing thoughts and memories that can be accessed if desired.

Question 18

What are the three parts of Freud’s tripartite personality structure?

Answer 18

• The Id
• The Ego
• The Superego

Question 19

What is the Id?

Answer 19

The primitive part of personality that operates on the pleasure principle and demands instant gratification.

Question 20

What principle does the Ego operate on?

Answer 20

The reality principle.

Question 21

What is the role of the Ego?

Answer 21

To mediate between the demands of the Id and the Superego.

Question 22

When does the Ego develop?

Answer 22

Around the age of two years.

Question 23

What is the Superego?

Answer 23

The part of personality that represents our internalised sense of right and wrong based on moral standards.

Question 24

At what stage is the Superego formed?

Answer 24

At the end of the phallic stage, around the age of five.

Question 25

What happens if a psychosexual conflict is unresolved?

Answer 25

The child becomes 'stuck' and carries certain behaviors and conflicts into adult life.

Question 26

What are defence mechanisms?

Answer 26

Unconscious strategies used by the Ego to prevent being overwhelmed by threats or traumas.

Question 27

True or False: Defence mechanisms are regarded as healthy long-term solutions.

Answer 27

False.

Question 28

What is the focus of pleasure in the Oral stage?

Answer 28

The mouth, with the mother's breast as the object of desire ## Footnote Oral fixation can manifest as smoking, biting nails, or being sarcastic and critical.

Question 29

What age range does the Anal stage cover?

Answer 29

1-3 years ## Footnote In this stage, the child gains pleasure from withholding and expelling faeces.

Question 30

What are the characteristics of an Anal retentive personality?

Answer 30

Perfectionist, obsessive ## Footnote This personality type often results from strict toilet training.

Question 31

What defines an Anal expulsive personality?

Answer 31

Thoughtless, messy ## Footnote This personality type often results from lenient toilet training.

Question 32

What is the primary focus of pleasure in the Phallic stage?

Answer 32

The genital area ## Footnote A phallic personality is often characterized as narcissistic and reckless.

Question 33

What happens during the Latency stage?

Answer 33

Earlier conflicts are repressed ## Footnote This stage is characterized by a period of calm in psychosexual development.

Question 34

At what stage do sexual desires become conscious?

Answer 34

Genital stage ## Footnote This stage coincides with the onset of puberty and can lead to difficulties in forming heterosexual relationships.

Question 35

Fill in the blank: Oral fixation can lead to behaviors such as _______.

Answer 35

smoking, biting nails, being sarcastic, and critical

Question 36

True or False: The Phallic stage occurs between the ages of 3-6 years.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

Fill in the blank: In the Anal stage, children find pleasure in _______ and expelling faeces.

Answer 37

withholding

Question 38

What is repression?

Answer 38

Forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind. ## Footnote Repression is a defense mechanism that helps individuals cope with anxiety and stress by pushing unwanted thoughts and memories out of conscious awareness.

Question 39

What does denial mean in psychological terms?

Answer 39

Refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality. ## Footnote Denial is a defense mechanism that involves rejecting the reality of a situation to protect oneself from uncomfortable feelings.

Question 40

What is displacement?

Answer 40

Transferring feelings from true source of distressing emotion onto a substitute target. ## Footnote Displacement allows individuals to express feelings towards a less threatening object or person, rather than the original source of distress.

Question 41

What is one strength of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 41

It introduced the idea of psychotherapy as opposed to physical treatments. ## Footnote This includes techniques like dream analysis to access the unconscious mind.

Question 42

What therapy did Freud bring to the world?

Answer 42

Psychoanalysis. ## Footnote This was the first attempt to treat mental disorders psychologically rather than physically.

Question 43

What does psychoanalysis aim to achieve for clients?

Answer 43

It aims to bring repressed emotions into the conscious mind so they can be dealt with. ## Footnote This process is thought to help clients understand their emotions better.

Question 44

What is a modern-day application of psychoanalysis?

Answer 44

It is the forerunner to many modern-day talking therapies, such as counselling. ## Footnote These therapies have been established since Freud's time.

Question 45

What is a counterpoint to the effectiveness of Freudian therapy?

Answer 45

It is regarded as inappropriate or harmful for serious mental disorders like schizophrenia. ## Footnote Symptoms of schizophrenia, such as paranoia, complicate the therapeutic process.

Question 46

What does Freud's theory claim about human behaviour?

Answer 46

It has the ability to explain human behaviour. ## Footnote This includes personality development, origins of psychological disorders, and moral development.

Question 47

What influence did the psychodynamic approach have beyond psychology?

Answer 47

It has had a positive impact on literature, art, and other human endeavours. ## Footnote This suggests its relevance extends into cultural and creative fields.

Question 48

What is a limitation of the psychodynamic approach according to Karl Popper?

Answer 48

Much of it is untestable. ## Footnote This includes concepts like the Id and the Oedipus complex.

Question 49

Why are Freud's concepts considered difficult to test?

Answer 49

They occur at an unconscious level, making them difficult to empirically test. ## Footnote Additionally, his ideas were based on subjective studies of individuals.

Question 50

What does the term 'pseudoscientific' imply about Freud's theory?

Answer 50

It suggests that Freud's theory was not a real science rather than established fact. ## Footnote This is due to its lack of falsifiability.

Question 51

Fill in the blank: Psychoanalysis employs a range of techniques designed to access the _______.

Answer 51

unconscious