3 Structures of Personality Freuds Psychoanalysis Theory Id

3 Structures of Personality Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory Id Ego Super ego

The Psychoanalytic Approach All people have inner struggles n Born with biological drives that may conflict with laws n

Freud Explains

Sigmund Freud n n n Medical degree Vienna, Austria “Talking Cure”

Methods of Treatment Psychoanalysis Dream Analysis

Methods Continued Hypnosis n All access your unconscious feelings

Id Primitive drives n Completely unconscious n It is the “bad” part of us n We are born with it n Like a stereotypical 2 year old n

Id Continued Guided by the PLEASURE PRINCIPLE— the demand for instant gratification n Spontaneous n Inappropriate n Pays no attention to laws or rules n

Structures of the Id Thanatos- death instinct n libido- sex drive n

The id has two ways to satisfy itself n Reflex action— n n n A spontaneous action that relieves the id Can get one in trouble Ex. Swear at a teacher you don’t like n Primary process— n n n Wish fulfillment Fantasy Only temporarily satisfies desire

These are both supposed to give the id gratification n Since neither is a really good way to satisfy id impulses, another structure must satisfy the id n

Ego Not born with it n Begins developing around 6 months n Is conscious n Stand for reason and good sense n Our rational self n

Ego Continued n Guided by the REALITY PRINCIPLE — understanding that we cannot always get what we want n n Therefore, the ego must satisfy the id in realistic ways This is the primary job of the ego—satisfying the id

What the ego does is… Thinking n Planning n Problem solving n Ego must screen out wild and inappropriate impulse from the id n

Comparing Id and Ego n Id n n Buy with credit cards Cheat on a test Verbal assault a teacher Ego n n n Save money to buy Study for the test Remain quiet

Superego Is taught during childhood n Usually developing around age of 4 n Operates on all level of consciousness n Strives for the ideal rather than real n Guides us in our moral decision making n

Superego Continued Develops as we “learn the rules” n Guided by the MORAL PRINCIPLE — values and standards of the parents and members of society n

Two Spheres of the Superego n Conscience n n Memory of all behaviors one has been punished for Inhibits impulses by flooding ego with guilt and shame n Ego Ideal n n The memory of all behaviors that led to rewards Promotes idealistic, perfectionist goals and behavior

The pieces together: The healthy person spends most time in his ego n Large id=too impulsive n Large super ego=too neurotic and rigid morals n

If, as an adult, your Id is too dominant? n Very self-absorbed, don’t care about others, only out for yourself n If, as an adult, your Ego is too dominant? n Distant, rational, efficient, unemotional, cold n If, as an adult, your Superego is too dominant? n Guilt-ridden or self-righteous n

How it all works We get impulses from the id n The ego works to satisfy them n The super ego approves or disapproves n n The ego must satisfy the id without offending the moral guidelines of the superego

How can the ego handle it? To help the ego do this, the unconscious mind uses ego defense mechanisms n Methods of behavior and thoughts which help protect the idealized ego n Allows the ego to avoid pain, anxiety, stress, and emotion n