Psychoanalytic Theory

Basic Freudian Propositions

Clinical Experiences

• Anna O. (Breuer)

– Unexpressed emotion -> pathology

– Unaware of emotion (unconscious)

– Emotion expression reduces pathology

Fundamental Assumptions ofFundamental Assumptions ofPsychoanalytic TheoryPsychoanalytic Theory

The Basic Instincts Unconscious Motivation Psychic Determinism Energy Model

Fundamental Assumptions ofFundamental Assumptions ofPsychoanalytic TheoryPsychoanalytic Theory

The Basic Instincts: Sex and Aggression

Closely follows Darwin’s theory Freud believed that everything humans do can

be understood as manifestations of the life and death instincts

Later termed libido (life) and thanatos (death)

Fundamental Assumptions ofFundamental Assumptions ofPsychoanalytic TheoryPsychoanalytic Theory

Unconscious Motivation

Individuals control their sexual and aggressive urges by placing them in the unconscious

These take on a life of their own and become the motivated unconscious

Fundamental Assumptions ofFundamental Assumptions ofPsychoanalytic TheoryPsychoanalytic Theory

Psychic Determinism

Nothing happens by chance or accident

Everything we do, think, say, and feel is an expression of our mind

Fundamental Assumptions ofFundamental Assumptions ofPsychoanalytic TheoryPsychoanalytic Theory

Energy Model

Humans are viewed as energy systems

Hydraulic model. Energy transformed but not destroyed

Levels of ConsciousnessLevels of Consciousness

Conscious - current awareness

Preconscious - not aware of material but it’s retrievable (via ordinary retrieval)

Unconscious - not aware of material but it’s not retrievable (via ordinary retrieval)

Issues Regarding the Unconscious

• How can the existence of the unconscious be demonstrated?

• Why do humans have an unconscious?

Personality and PsychoanalysisPersonality and Psychoanalysis

Techniques for Revealing the Unconscious

Free Association Dream Analysis Projective Techniques Recovered Memories

The Structure of PersonalityThe Structure of Personality

ID EGO

SUPEREGO

The Structure of PersonalityThe Structure of Personality

The Id – Reservoir of Psychic Energy

Most primitive part of the mind; what we are born with

Source of all drives and urgesOperates according to the pleasure principle

and primary process thinking

The Structure of PersonalityThe Structure of Personality

The Ego- Executive of Personality

The part of the mind that constrains the id to reality

Develops around 2-3 years of ageOperates according to the reality principle

and secondary process thinkingMediates between id, superego, and

environment

The Structure of PersonalityThe Structure of Personality

The Superego- Upholder of Values and Ideals

The part of the mind that internalizes the values, morals, and ideals of society

Develops around age 5Not bound by reality

Psychodynamics

• Conflict model– Id vs. superego; Individual vs. society– Restrain expression of all drives– Surplus energy results in anxiety

Defense Mechanisms

• Unconscious psychological processes designed to avoid or reduce the conscious experience of anxiety

Anxiety and theAnxiety and theMechanisms of DefenseMechanisms of Defense

Repression Unconscious Motivated Forgetting

The process of preventing unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or urges from reaching conscious awareness

Anxiety and theAnxiety and theMechanisms of DefenseMechanisms of Defense

Denial Unconscious Motivated Not Perceiving

Perceptual Defense Research

Anxiety and theAnxiety and theMechanisms of DefenseMechanisms of Defense

Other Defense Mechanisms

Reaction Formation

Act opposite of impulse

Projection

Make impulse external

Anxiety and theAnxiety and theMechanisms of DefenseMechanisms of Defense

Other Defense Mechanisms

Isolation/Intellectualization

Isolate emotional reaction

Process abstractly

Anxiety and theAnxiety and theMechanisms of DefenseMechanisms of Defense

Other Defense Mechanisms

Displacement

Channel impulse to non-threatening target

Sublimation

Channel impulse into socially desired activity

Anxiety and theAnxiety and theMechanisms of DefenseMechanisms of Defense

Defense Mechanisms in Everyday Life

Useful in coping with unexpected or disappointing events

Can also make circumstances worse

Personality and PsychoanalysisPersonality and Psychoanalysis

Making the Unconscious Conscious

Techniques for Revealing the Unconscious

The Process of Psychoanalysis

Personality and PsychoanalysisPersonality and Psychoanalysis

The goal of psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious conscious

Identify unconscious thoughts and feelingsEnable the person to deal with the

unconscious urges realistically and maturely

But how to penetrate the unconscious mind?

Personality and PsychoanalysisPersonality and Psychoanalysis

The Process of Psychoanalysis

The psychoanalyst offers the patient interpretations of the psychodynamic causes of the problems

The interpretations bring insightResistance may occur as a defenseTransference of feelings

Evaluating Freud’s ContributionsEvaluating Freud’s Contributions

Proponents argue it is the first and perhaps only comprehensive theory of human nature

Psychoanalysis has had a major impact on Western thought

Critics maintain it is not contemporary The nature of evidence upon which it was

built can be criticized Emphasis on sexual drives is inappropriate

SummarySummary

There are 3 main forces in the psyche that constantly interact to tame the 2 motives

Defense mechanisms help keep urges, thoughts, and memories that cause anxiety in the unconscious

Psychoanalysis is a therapy used for making the patient's unconscious conscious

Anxiety and theAnxiety and theMechanisms of DefenseMechanisms of Defense

Types of Anxiety Repression Other Defense Mechanisms Defense Mechanisms in Everyday Life

Anxiety and theAnxiety and theMechanisms of DefenseMechanisms of Defense

Types of Anxiety

Objective Anxiety Neurotic Anxiety Moral Anxiety Defense Mechanisms