Week 4: Psychological Approaches: Individual Therapy Pt.1

Question 1

What is a ‘mental disorder’ according to the DSM-V?

Answer 1

Clinically-significant disturbances in COGNITION, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, or BEHAVIOR that indicate a dysfunction in mental functioning and are usually associated with significant distress or disability in WORK, RELATIONSHIPS, or other areas of FUNCTIONING.

Question 2

What is the Psychoanalytic Model?

Answer 2

The theory of development and organization of personality that guides psychoanalysis.

Question 3

It is a therapeutic approach developed by Sigmund Freud.

It’s based on the theory that our present is shaped by our past, and that the unacknowledged meaning of personal experiences can influence our mood, behavior, and relationships.

Answer 3

Psychoanalysis

Question 4

The psychoanalytic model assumes that human behavior is largely determined by unconscious forces, biological drives, and past experiences.

Answer 4

Deterministic View of Human Nature

Question 5

Forces that are not based on reason or logic, often driven by emotions or instincts.

Examples:
Fear of the dark
Compulsions
Superstitions

Answer 5

Irrational Forces

Question 6

Basic instincts or urges that are rooted in our biology, such as the need for food, water, and reproduction.

Answer 6

Biological Drives

Question 7

Thoughts, feelings, and desires that are hidden from our conscious awareness but still influence our behavior.

Examples:
Repressed Memories
Defense Mechanisms
Hidden Desires

Answer 7

Unconscious Motivations

Question 8

Humans are dominated by two basic instincts according to Sigmund Freud. What are these?

Answer 8

Eros (life) and Thanatos (death)

Question 9

What are examples of Eros (life force)?

Answer 9

Love and affection: Feelings of love, affection, and intimacy towards others.

Creativity: Engaging in creative activities like art, music, or writing.

Reproduction: The desire to reproduce and continue the human species.

Self-preservation: The instinct to protect oneself from harm and danger.

Question 10

What are examples of Thanatos (death force)?

Answer 10

Aggression: Hostile or violent behavior towards others.

Self-destructive behavior: Actions that harm oneself, such as substance abuse or reckless driving.

Desire for death: In some cases, a longing for death or an end to suffering.

Competitive drive: The desire to succeed or outperform others, which can sometimes involve aggressive or destructive behaviors.

Question 11

A persistent focus on a particular stage of development, often due to unresolved conflicts.

Answer 11

Fixation

Question 12

A preoccupation/fixation with oral activities, such as smoking, overeating, or excessive talking.

Answer 12

Oral Fixation

Question 13

A fixation/focus on cleanliness, orderliness, or control.

Answer 13

Anal Fixation

Question 14

Issues/fixation related to sexuality or gender identity.

Answer 14

Phallic Fixation

Question 15

Each stage focuses on a specific body part (erogenous zone) that is associated with pleasure.
Oral > Anal > Phallic > Latency > Genital

Successful Navigation: Successful completion of each stage leads to healthy personality development.

Fixation: Failure to resolve conflicts within a stage can result in fixation and subsequent personality issues.

Answer 15

Psychosexual Stages of Development (Freud)

Question 16

Psychosexual stage where pleasure is derived from sucking, biting, and chewing.

If a child has problems with breastfeeding or weaning, they might become fixated on oral activities like smoking, excessive talking, or overeating later in life.

An oral fixation may result in a passive, gullible, immature, or manipulative personality.

Answer 16

Oral Stage

Question 17

What are the oral stage personality traits?

Answer 17

Orally Aggressive and Orally Passive

Oral stage fixation may result in a passive, gullible, immature, or manipulative personality.

Question 18

A personality characterized by aggression, sarcasm, or a tendency to use biting words or actions.

Answer 18

Oral Aggressive

Question 19

A personality characterized by dependence, passivity, or a tendency to seek pleasure through oral activities.

Answer 19

Oral Passive

Question 20

Psychosexual stage with a focus on toilet training and control.

Issues with toilet training can lead to a fixation on cleanliness and control (anal retentive) or a rebellious and disorganized personality (anal expulsive).

Answer 20

Anal Stage

Question 21

A personality characterized by excessive orderliness, cleanliness, or a rigid adherence to rules.

Answer 21

Anal Retentive

Question 22

A personality characterized by impulsiveness, messiness, or a tendency to be rebellious or defiant.

Answer 22

Anal Expulsive

Question 23

The psychosexual stage where conflicts involving feelings of love and rivalry towards parents.

Development of gender identity and sexual orientation.

Answer 23

Phallic Stage

Question 24

In Freudian theory, a male child’s unconscious desire to possess the opposite-sex parent and eliminate the same-sex parent.

Answer 24

Oedipus Complex

Question 25

In Freudian theory, a female child's unconscious desire to possess the opposite-sex parent and eliminate the same-sex parent.

Answer 25

Electra Complex

Question 26

A psychosexual stage or period of sexual dormancy or calm. Focus on social and intellectual development. Formation of friendships and interests. Sexual feelings may be repressed or sublimated.

Answer 26

Latency Stage

Question 27

The psychosexual stage where the maturation of sexual interests and desires occurs. Development of romantic relationships. Establishment of a healthy sexual identity. Successful navigation of this stage leads to a well-adjusted adult.

Answer 27

Genital Stage

Question 28

According to Freud, what are the three elements that make up our personality (Psychosocial Theory of Development)?

Answer 28

Id, ego, and superego

Question 29

Driven by basic instincts and needs (hunger, thirst, sex) Operates on the pleasure principle: seeks pleasure and avoids pain Example: A hungry baby cries until it's fed, not considering its parents' needs. Consequences if too strong: Impulsive behavior, disregard for others' needs.

Answer 29

Id

Question 30

Emerges as we interact with the world Operates on the reality principle: balances internal needs with external reality Works to fulfill the id's desires in realistic ways

Answer 30

Ego

Question 31

Develops around age five Internalizes moral standards and societal expectations Represents conscience and dictates right from wrong Consequences if too strong: Overcritical, rigid personality, possible depression.

Answer 31

Superego

Question 32

A small part of our mental activity that we are aware of. Ego

Answer 32

Conscious Mind

Question 33

Information that is not readily accessible but can be retrieved with effort.

Answer 33

Pre-conscious Mind

Question 34

The majority of our mental activity, contains hidden thoughts, feelings, and desires. Id and superego

Answer 34

Unconscious Mind

Question 35

It is a branch of psychoanalysis that focuses on how our relationships with others, especially our mothers, shape our personality and mental health. It emphasizes the importance of these relationships more than biological drives. Object - other/significant other Relations - interpersonal relationships

Answer 35

Object Relations Theory

Question 36

Mother of object relations theory. She was post-Freudian

Answer 36

Melanie Klein (1882 - 1960)

Question 37

Early development is crucial, focus on mother-child relationship, paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions, splitting and projection

Answer 37

Melanie Klein's Object Relations Theory

Question 38

2 Stages that are crucial for the infant's healthy development of the ego according to Klein?

Answer 38

1) Paranoid-Schizoid Position (0-3 months) 2) Depressive Position (3-6 months)

Question 39

What happens to the infant during the Paranoid-Schizoid Position (0-3 months)?

Answer 39

- Baby is only able to relate to the mother and external world in part objects - Baby projects loving and hating feelings onto separate parts of the mother (breast) - Maternal object is divided into BAD (Hated) and GOOD (loved) - Infants experience anxiety due to aggressive instincts

Question 40

Good stays separate from bad

Answer 40

Splitting

Question 41

What happens to the infant during the Depressive Position (3-6 months)?

Answer 41

- Infants can relate to objects as whole objects - Become aware of destructive impulses and guilt - Attempt to repair damage caused by destructive impulses - Experience ambivalence (love and hate, good and bad)

Question 42

The simultaneous existence of opposing feelings or attitudes towards a person or object. Example: Good and bad can co-exist.

Answer 42

Ambivalence

Question 43

Attributing one's own feelings to others

Answer 43

Projecting

Question 44

A mother who is responsive to her infant's needs provides comfort and protects them from overwhelming distress. The mother's role is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the infant.

Answer 44

Good Enough Mother

Question 45

Emphasized the vulnerability of the infant and the need for the caregiver (good-enough mother) to provide a good holding environment.

Answer 45

Donald Winnicott (1886 - 1971)

Question 46

Focus is on good-enough mother, holding environment, symbiosis, transitional objects

Answer 46

Donald Winnicott's Object Relations Theory

Question 47

A predictable and consistent environment for the infant provided by the mother or caregiver. Examples: Consistent routines: Regular feeding, bathing, and bedtime schedules can help create a sense of predictability. Responsive caregiving: Promptly attending to the infant's needs Emotional warmth and support: Showing love, affection, and empathy

Answer 47

Holding Environment

Question 48

The initial state of complete dependence between the infant and the caregiver. The infant is completely dependent on the caregiver for their survival and emotional well-being. Examples: Breastfeeding Constant Care Shared Experiences

Answer 48

Symbiosis

Question 49

Objects that help the infant transition from dependence to independence. A familiar object that helps the infant cope with separation from the caregiver. Examples: A blanket, teddy bear, or other object that the infant becomes attached to.

Answer 49

Transitional Objects

Question 50

A superficial or inauthentic sense of self that may develop when the environment is not holding. It's a way for the infant to protect themselves from overwhelming anxiety or emotional pain. Examples: Overly compliant to submissive behaviour Acting out Difficulty expressing emotions

Answer 50

False Self

Question 51

The infant's attempts to make up for their destructive impulses towards the mother and maintain the relationship.

Answer 51

Reparate

Question 52

The quality of early attachments can have long-lasting effects on mental health and social development. "In order to grow up mentally healthy, the child should experience a warm intimate and continuous relationship with its mother."

Answer 52

John Bowlby's Attachment Theory

Question 53

Is a bit like a cognitive framework, a prototype for subsequent relationships. Example: A child who has a secure attachment may expect positive and supportive relationships in the future.

Answer 53

Internal Working Model

Question 54

A strong disposition to seek proximity to and contact with a specific figure and to do so in certain situations, notably when frightened, tired, or ill. We have an innate ability to bond with one another.

Answer 54

Attachment

Question 55

A healthy attachment style characterized by trust in others, a sense of self-worth, and the ability to form and maintain close relationships. Example: A child who is consistently cared for and loved may lead to trust in others and healthy relationships.

Answer 55

Secure Attachment

Question 56

An attachment style characterized by difficulties in forming or maintaining relationships, emotional distress, and negative self-esteem. Can lead to difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships.

Answer 56

Insecure Attachment

Question 57

Characterized by emotional distance and a reluctance to form close bonds. A child who experiences neglect or rejection may have difficulty forming close bonds and emotional distance.

Answer 57

Avoidant Attachment

Question 58

Characterized by inconsistency and uncertainty in relationships. A child who experiences inconsistent caregiving may result in uncertainty, anxiety, and clinginess in relationships.

Answer 58

Ambivalent Attachment

Question 59

According to Bowlby, what Initial Experiences result in certain Attachment Styles?

Answer 59

Positive and Loved - > Secure Attachment Style Unloved and Rejected -> Avoidant Attachment Style Inconsistent Behaviour -> Ambivalent Attachment Style