Unit 2 - Classic Individual Differences Core Studies Flashcards
(65 cards)
Summarise the background of Freud’s study
- Hans’ father was a supporter of Freud
- Hans brought up with ‘minimal force’ and was a lively, cheerful baby
What was Freud’s aim?
To use Little Hans to confirm his theory about the unconscious and the Oedipus Complex
Describe the sample Freud used
1 little boy called ‘Little Hans’
Just under 2 (1906 - 1908)
Was in the phallic stage
Outline the procedure from Freud’s study
- Han’s father recorded details of his behaviour with his own interpretations and sent them in a letter to Freud
- Freud replied with his interpretations and gave guidance on what behaviours to look for and things to discuss with Hans
What was the data collection method used by Freud?
Observation (of Hans’ father)
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans fearing the loss of his penis?
Freud - castration complex
Alternative - his mother said she would cut it off for fiddling
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans asking his mum to touch his penis whilst powdering it because “it’s great fun”?
Freud - attempting to seduce his mother
Alternative - silly and immature
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans telling his mum his Aunt told him “he has got a dear little thingummy”
Freud - attempting to seduce his mother
Alternative - silly and immature
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans fearing being bitten by horses and going out into the street?
Freud - castration complex
Alternative - Hans heard someone say “Don’t put your finger to the white horse or it’ll bite you”
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans having a nightmare about giraffes?
Freud - big giraffe was dad’s penis, crumpled giraffe was mum’s genital organs and he was longing for mum’s genitals so came into bedroom
Alternative - Hans had visited Schonbrunn Zoo 5 days earlier
What was Han’s nightmare about giraffes?
There were two giraffes, one big one with a long neck and a crumpled one. Hans sat on the crumpled one and took it away from the big one
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans particularly being scared of horses that wear things in front of eyes and black around mouths?
Freud - fear of dad because glasses and mustache
Alternative - scary to a small child
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans being afraid of carts and buses turning because they’d fall over?
Freud - horses represented father and he wanted his father to fall down
Alternative - Had seen a bus-horse fall down and kick out it’s feet - scared him
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans becoming obsessed with his ‘lumf’ (liked seeing his mum’s and friends Berta’s)?
Freud - his fear of defection and heavy loaded carts is equal to his fear of a heavy loaded stomach
Alternative - had suffered with ‘habital constipation’ until reduced food intake under medical advice
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans becoming curious about where babies come from?
Freud - heavily loaded horses symbolic of mother in birth which traced back to his baby sister’s birth
Alternative - curious child
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans’ dream that a plumber stuck a borer in his stomach and his mum would let him drown under the water - said he wanted his sister too
Freud - fear he would be punished for wishing his sister dead as wanted mum all to himself
Alternative - jealousy of attention
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans playing with his imaginary children as he was dad, mum was mum and dad was granddad?
Freud - little Oedipus found a happier solution which kept dad in picture and moving forward to satisfactory conclusions
Alternative - just playing
What were the interpretations (Freud and Alternative) of Hans’ dream that the plumber pincered off behind and his ‘widdler’?
Freud - father asked if widdler was replaced bigger and he replied “yes”. Said he wants a mustache and chest hair like dad. Overcoming castration complex and happy outcome
Alternative - wants to be like dad
What did Freud conclude about his study?
- Hans was sexually attracted to his mother
- Hans fantasied about taking his mother away (giraffe fantasy)
- Jealous and frightened of father (horse fear)
- Jealous of sister taking mother away (bath phobia)
- Finally resolved feelings towards father (plumber and wanting children)
What ethical guidelines did Freud uphold?
- Confidentiality - “Little Hans”
2. Deception - father honest
What ethical guidelines did Freud break?
- Consent - parents gave permission
Was Freud’s study ethnocentric?
Yes - one middle class child in Vienna unlikely to represent whole population of children No - phobias common across the world, application?
Did Freud’s study have external reliability?
No
- cannot assume all children will progress through the same psycho sexual stages of development
- sample size too small
Did Freud’s study have internal validity?
- much simpler and more obvious explanations (not sexual and more acceptable)
- use of leading questions could have influenced responses
ie. “When the horse fell down did you think of your daddy?”
