Sigmund Freud ( ) Psychoanalysis

Contributions to Psychology Was one of the first psychologists to actually care about his patients. He not only prescribed/cared for the patients, but listened to his patients. Freud had patients walk into his office and lay down on a couch facing away from him. Believed that this would help them be more open and less embarrassed of their past. Said most of our personality comes from desires in our unconscious. Believed our base urges were sexual or aggressive in nature.

The mind is like an iceberg. Most of it is beneath the surface.

Should I eat a bacon-double cheese burger? Id – The pleasure principle, causes us to want whatever we want without thought to others. “Yes. It is yummy and I am hungry.” Ego – The reality principle. Understands other people have feelings too. Uses defense mechanisms (rationalization) to satisfy id and superego. “I won’t tell that teacher off because it will hurt her feelings.” Defense mechanism…“Well, just this one time won’t hurt. I’m in a big hurry and wouldn’t it be worse if I took the time to have a sensible meal and then had to speed to get to my meeting on time?” Superego – Gives us moral and restraint. Anti-pleasure principle. “No. It is bad for my health. It is not an ecologically sustainable way to eat.”

Oral Stage (0-18 mo.) A child not satisfied in the oral stage might fixate on his/her mouth later in life (smoking, overeating, etc)

Anal Stage (18-36 mo.) A child that isn’t satisfied during the anal stage becomes like the guy on the right later in life…

Phallic Stage (Age 3-6) Obsessed with…you guessed it. Later in life, if not satisfied in this stage…fixated on “overcompensating” Penis envyPenis envy, Oedipal complexOedipal complex

Latency Stage (Age 6-12) Sexual energy gets redirected, important stage because it helps development of social skills, confidence and communication skills If one doesn’t have a healthy latent phase, they might be overly fixated on sex forever!

Genital Stage (Puberty on) Finally, a focus on sexual interest in others, but hopefully as a well rounding (no a pervert!) individual.

Defense Mechanisms: ways our ego reduces anxiety by distorting reality, the way we “handle” life’s problems… Repression Reaction Formation Projection Rationalization Displacement Denial Regression Sublimation Intellectualization

Name that defense mechanism 1.A physically abusive parent claiming that a beating is good for the child. 2.An 8-year-old child whose parents are getting divorced starts wetting the bed. 3.A young woman forcing the memories of sexual abuse into her unconscious mind. 4.After suffering major losses in the stock market, Jim trades in his luxury car for a small, cheaper car claiming that he is doing his part in the battle against air pollution.

Name that defense mechanism. 5. After getting fired, Mr. James has been grumpy and short with his wife. 6. An aggressive young man takes up rugby to re-channel his aggressive impulses. 7. A student forgot that his dreaded final exam in geometry was Friday, despite having it marked on his calendar for weeks. 8. A young woman from a strict moral background becoming actively involved in an anti-pornography campaign.

Name that defense mechanism. 9. A student who wishes to cheat on an upcoming exam interpreting the anxiety of other students as a desire to cheat on the exam. 10. The person who is most difficult to convince in an argument says that everyone else is stubborn. 11.Tory was convicted for being a Peeping Tom. Now, he has left behind his sordid past and is a busy photographer for Playboy magazine. 12. After being criticized at work, Thomas argued with his wife and kicked the dog.

How do we assess the unconscious? Hypnosis Freudian slips Dream Interpretation Free Association Projective Tests –Examples are TAT and Inkblot Tests.

Thematic Aperception Test (TAT)

RorschacH Inkblot Test

Modern Psychoanalysis How do we view Freud’s Theories Today? Reject: –Psychosexual stages –Id, ego, superego Maintain: −Role of the unconscious −Inner conflicts and Defense mechanisms