Sigmund Freud (1856-1939 Austria) The father of psychoanalysis & psychosexual theory

Freud’s Question: What shapes human personalities and what leads to mental disorders and “unhealthy” behaviors? His answer: 1. During childhood we go through stages in which there is an internal/psychological battle between our id and ego that we must resolve 2. How our parents treat us directly affects how we resolve our “battles” 3. Adult personality is formed during childhood and shaped by repressed memories

The mind’s battleground: Id, ego, and superego Id is the “animal” and “instinct” part of the mind Humans are born 100% id Seeks pleasure and instant gratification regardless of the consequences Drives selfish behaviors Resides in the unconscious—influences behaviors and dreams ego & id Superego is the mind’s moral compass or “conscience” that judges your actions Develops over time as we learn society’s expectations and norms Emerges around age 5 superego Ego = conscious (thinking/aware) part of mind The part of your mind that thinks through choices and looks for the rational decision Part of mind that tries to keep Id in check to protect you from wrath of superego Ego = self-identity Ego develops as one ages and progresses through developmental stages

Visual model of the 3 part’s of the human psyche (mind)

Application of Theory: Id, ego, superego Written response on loose leaf. Make sure you use and underline or highlight the words id, ego, and superego in both parts! Tell a story about when your ego was unable to surpress an id urge and you did what id wanted you to do. How did your superego react after you acted on your id urge? Tell a story about a time your ego won the battle with your id and chose to “do the right thing”. Even though you made the rational choice, did you regret your decision and wish you had followed your id “voice”? Explain Examples of id controlled behaviors: Stealing Drinking/doing drugs Breaking curfew Lying to parents, boy/girl friend Hitting someone Cheating on a boy/girl friend Cursing out a teacher or parent Cheating on a test Unprotected sexual activity

To potty train or not to potty train All battles revolve around: erogenous zone, libido (sexual energy) Id gets pleasure from libido energy Child’s interactions with parents affect progress through stage Child either passes through stage and develops a healthy, ego personality trait OR stays stuck or “fixated” in stage and exhibits id traits Anal: To potty train or not to potty train Phallic: Oedipal and Electra complexes girls get penis envy boys get castration anxiety Genital: Old id urges resurface and may impede search for healthy heterosexual relationship Oral: To wean or not to wean

Stage 1: Oral Child must learn to replace libidinous satisfaction of sucking with new behavior. Parents must not use nipple as way to sooth child. If child weans easily, child develops ego trait of independence. If not, oral fixations (id trait) develop. Oral fixations include: sarcasm, biting nails, drinking, eating disorders, sucking thumb, smoking

Anal expulsive personality type: overly messy, out of control Stage 2:Anal Child must learn to replace control libidinous satisfaction of pooping and peeing. Parents must not punish, humiliate or be too lenient with potty training! If child trains easily and with support of parents, child develops ego trait of pride and self-control. If not, anal fixations develop. Anal expulsive personality type: overly messy, out of control Anal retentive personality type: overly controlling, neat freak

Stage 2: Phallic Girl must resolve feelings of penis envy. Boy must resolve castration complex. Girl must resolve “Electra Complex” – subconscious desire to replace mommy and marry daddy Boy must resolve “Oedipus Complex” – subconscious desire to replace daddy and marry mommy IF NOT, boy/girl will harbor feelings of guilt when older and will seek out or create unhealthy heterosexual relationships

Unhealthy behaviors are caused by memories repressed in mind’s unconscious Repress: to lock away from one’s conscious, to hide thoughts from yourself so that you don’t have to deal with them Unconscious: NOT a literal structural part of the brain The part of the mind that lies under the surface of conscious thoughts

Defense Mechanisms Egos way of protecting mind from judgment of superego and to relieve anxiety Created involuntarily by ego—not consciously! Can be healthy in short run, but if underlying cause of defense mechanism is not addressed, leads to unhealthy behaviors

Application of Defense Mechanisms 1. Read your “defense mechanisms” handout. 2. Take notes on looseleaf about: what defense mechs are why they happen (reality, neurotic, moral anxiety) how psychoanalysis helps people using them 3. You will be turning in your 3 examples

Hypnotism to reach unconscious memories So, you’re messed up because you followed your id or you never resolved your childhood id vs. ego battles…what now? Psychoanalysis: lie on the couch and start talking to reveal childhood source of pain hidden in symbolic thought and behavioral choices Dream analysis Unlock secrets hidden in unconscious by looking at symbolism of dreams; “free association” Hypnotism to reach unconscious memories