Ch. 14 S. 2 The Psychoanalytic Approach Obj: Describe the impact of the psychoanalytic theory of personality and how the theory has been modified since Sigmund Freud.

The psychoanalytic approach to personality teaches that all people – even the most well- adjusted - undergo inner struggles (certain biological drives) that may come into conflict with laws, social norms, and moral codes.

Sigmund Freud Freud believed that conscious ideas occupy only a small part of the mind. Much of what people actually feel is pushed into the unconscious. Freud believed that if people “talked” about their problems, it would help deal with even physical problems (like paralysis)

He also believed in dream analysis – unconscious wishes in dreams. And Hypnosis – better access to their unconscious thoughts. He eventually abandoned hypnosis, because people denied that they had said and done things.

Id, Ego, and Superego Freud believed that the mind had three basic psychological structures. The Id…I want what I want, and I want it now! The Ego…stands for reason and good sense. The Superego…the conscience, or moral compass.

Defense Mechanisms Methods the ego uses to avoid recognizing ideas or emotions that may cause personal anxiety. Repression – pushing ideas into the unconscious. Rationalization – the use of self-deception to justify unacceptable behavior.

Displacement – the transfer of an idea or impulse from a threatening object to a less threatening object. Regression – A stressful situation may cause a person to return to behavior that is characteristic of an earlier stage of development.

Projection – people sometimes deal with unacceptable impulses by projecting them outward onto other people. (Accusing people of what you are) Reaction Formation – act contrary to their genuine feelings in order to keep their true feeling hidden.

Denial – refusal to accept reality. Sublimation – channel basic impulses into healthy behavior (sports) Effects…may be normal and useful, unless used to ignore an important underlying issue.

Stages of Development Freud organized psychological development into five periods. Conflicts are encountered in each stage, if not resolved, the child may get “stuck”. Thus, some problems may stem from unresolved childhood conflicts.

Oral stage – 1 st. Year of life. Picking up objects and putting into mouth. Food = pleasure. If you get stuck here, fixations could include smoking, overeating, excessive talking, and nail biting. May have clinging, dependent relationships.

Anal Stage – age 1 1/2 to 2 ½. Children learn that they can control their own bodily functions, self- control becomes vital. Conflict can lead to anal-retentiveness and anal-expulsive ness (less restrained and may be messy).

Phallic Stage – age 3 – 5 or 6. Discovery of difference between boys and girls. May develop strong attachment to parent of opposite sex, and same-sex parent as rival (Oedipus/Electra Complex). Conflict may lead to depression, excessive guilt, and anxiety.

Latency Stage – Age 5 or 6. Children have been in conflict with their parents for several years. At this point, they retreat from the conflict and repress all aggressive urges. In so doing, they would enter the latency stage. Impulses and emotions remain hidden, or unconscious.

Genital Stage – Puberty. Becomes more aware of his or her own gender identity. Does not generally encounter any NEW psychological conflict, just deals with conflicts of the earlier stages when they resurface.

Carl Jung Developed analytic psychology – which places a greater emphasis on the influences of mysticism and religion on human behavior. Believed in collective unconscious – a store of human concepts shared by all people across all cultures.

Part of this collective is the idea of archetypes, images of accumulated experience. Hero, fertile mother, wise old man, etc. All of these concepts appear in some form in all cultures and religions and appear in dreams… Foundations of personality. Individuation- using conscious elements with collective unconscious to identify onesself.

Alfred Adler Believed people are basically motivated by a need to overcome feelings of inferiority (inferiority complex). Sibling rivalry – describes to jealousies that are often found among siblings.

Karen Horney Saw parent-child relationships to be of paramount importance. She believed that genuine and consistent love could temper any ill effects of even the most painful childhoods.

Erik Erikson Branched off of Freud’s five stages and added 3 more (making 8). These 3 additional stages deal with the changing concerns of adulthood. Issues of what to do with oneself upon certain stages in life.

Although not seen as scientific today, the psychoanalytical approach did open eyes to the far-reaching effects of childhood events. He helped us understand that sexual and aggressive urges are common. Recognizing them and acting on them are two different things.