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
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