PersonalityThe Psychoanalytic Approach Psychology Mrs Deming Psychoanalytic Approach

Personality—The Psychoanalytic Approach Psychology Mrs. Deming

Psychoanalytic Approach n n n Teaches that all people undergo inner struggles People are born with certain biological drives such as aggression, sex, need for superiority Conflict arrives when drives conflict with laws, social norms and moral codes already internalized

Sigmund Freud n n n Founder of the “inner conflict” approach to personality theory Believed conscious ideas and feelings occupy only a small part of the mind—many remain in an unconscious part of the mind Talking, hypnosis and dream analysis used

Id, Ego, and Superego n n 3 basic psychological structures of the mind—id, ego, and superego Id = basic drives such as hunger, pleasure through instant gratification, no attention to laws or needs of others n Pleasure principle—urge for personal gratification

Id, Ego, and Superego n Ego = develops because a child’s demands for instant gratification cannot be met n Reality principle = understanding that in the real world we cannot always get what we want n Seeks to satisfy the id in ways that are consistent with reality; resists wild impulses n Ex. You are hungry—cook hamburger as opposed to eating it raw

Id, Ego, and Superego n n Superego = Functions according to moral principle; acts as our conscience, floods the ego with feelings of guilt and shame Dilemma? ? ? n Ex. Go out with your friends (id) vs. studying for a test or failing (superego)

Defense Mechanisms n Repression = pushing anxiety-causing ideas from awareness into the consciousness

Defense Mechanisms n n Rationalization = use of self-deception to justify unacceptable behaviors or ideas Ex. Student cheats on a test—”I only cheated on a couple of Q’s, I knew most of the material. ”

Defense Mechanisms n n Displacement = transfer of an idea or impulse from a threatening or unsuitable object to a less threatening object Ex. Coach yells at you, you go home & yell at younger brother

Defense Mechanisms n n Regression = reverting back to behavior of an earlier stage of development Ex. Adolescent pouts when can’t go to the movies

Defense Mechanisms n n Projection = seeing your own behavior in someone else but not yourself Ex. Hostile person accuses others of being hostile

Defense Mechanisms n n Reaction formation = acting opposite of your own true feelings Ex. Angry at co-worker but you act “overly nice”.

Defense Mechanisms n n Denial = refusing to accept the reality of anything that is bad or upsetting Ex. Cigarette smoking & lung cancer

Defense Mechanisms n n Sublimation = channeling basic impulses into socially acceptable behavior Ex. Hostile student who takes out aggression in contact sports

Effects of Defense Mechanisms n When used in moderation, can be healthy n Protects people from painful feelings n Unhealthy when people start to ignore the underlying issues causing those feelings