Module 17 – The Psychodynamic Approach to Personality

Objectives: Describe the three levels of consciousness from Freud‘s theory. Conscious, Preconscious, and Unconscious Explain the structures of personality in Freud‘s theory. Id, Ego and Superego Describe psychological defense mechanisms. Repression, Regression, Denial, Reaction Formation, Projection, Rationalization, Displacement Explain the five stages of psychosexual development in Freud‘s theory. Oral – Anal – Phallic – Latency – Genital Discuss some of the major contributions of other psychodynamic theorists. Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Karen Horney

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Approach Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) Austrian physician - treated patients with “neurotic” disorders (no physical cause) Central idea: Dynamic struggle within mind between unconscious forces Importance of instincts: Sexual instinct Aggressive instinct Must balance conflicting demands of instincts and social acceptability (Freud believed could access unconscious through various means – free association, dream analysis, “Freudian slips,” etc.)

Levels of Consciousness Preconscious Unconscious

Levels of Consciousness Current contents of your mind that you actively think of What we call working memory Easily accessed all the time Example: The words Dan is reading, the objects in his field of vision, the sounds he can hear, and any thirst, hunger, or pain he is experiencing at the moment are all in his conscious.

Levels of Consciousness Preconscious Contents of the mind you are not currently aware of Thoughts, memories, knowledge, wishes, feelings Available for easy access when needed Example: Linda’s telephone number, the make of her car, and many of her past experiences are in her preconscious.

Levels of Consciousness Unconscious Contents kept out of consious awareness Not accessible at all Processes that actively keep these thoughts from awareness Example: Stan’s unconscious might contain angry feelings toward his mother or a traumatic incident he experienced at age four.

Freud's Iceberg Model Activity Levels of Consciousness Definitions

Iceberg Activity Part 1 Labeling the Iceberg In the space provided on the left hand side of the iceberg add the headings in their correct order: Preconscious Conscious Unconscious Explanations Place the correct explanation statements in the space provided on the right hand side of the iceberg. Easily accessible information in the ‘back of the mind’ but not currently aware of it. Aware of this information at any time. Hidden and not immediately available.

Iceberg Activity Part 1 Answer

Iceberg Activity Part 2 Consider these ‘thoughts’ and place them onto your Iceberg in the correct level, either conscious, preconscious or unconscious.

Freud's Iceberg Model Activity Thoughts and Levels of Consciousness

Iceberg Activity Part 1 Answer

The Structure of Personality Id - The Id is instinctive and Impulsive, exists in the unconscious. Ego - The Ego is realistic and sensible, exists in the conscious and preconscious. Superego - The Superego is idealistic and judgmental, exists across conscious, preconscious and unconscious.

Personality Structure ID The Id is a concept and it represents innate biological needs such as hunger, thirst, sleep and sex. The Id is described as a force which is demanding, impulsive, irrational and an extremely selfish part of our personality. Operates on a Pleasure Principle, it must have it’s needs met. If our behaviour was completely controlled by our Id, we would have to have our own way all of the time!! Freud believes that a newborn babies behaviour is completely dominated by their Id, they want everything immediately and must have their needs met. 2 competing instincts: -Life (Eros) Instincts (sexual) - Positive, constructive behavior (esp. sex) and reflects energy called “libido” -Death (Thanatos) Instincts (aggressive) – Responsible for aggression, destruction

Personality Structure EGO The Ego develops gradually when children begin to understand more about the how the real world operates, it is the part of personality which is realistic, logical and orderly. Operates on the Reality Principle it tries to ensure the needs of the Id are met but in a socially acceptable way and at appropriate times. Therefore the Ego considers ‘real-life’ restrictions in dealing with Id demands. E.g. Imagine what would happen if people expressed their sexual impulses whenever they ‘popped into their mind’ regardless of where they are?

Personality Structure SUPEREGO The Superego is our conscience, always looking after us, judging our thoughts, feelings and actions based on societies morals and values. Operates on the Moral Principle, providing us with ideas of right and wrong. Gives us feeling of guilt for negative behavior and pride for positive behavior. Always aims for perfection. The Superego’s main function is to block the Id and persuade the Ego to make moralistic decisions.

Iceberg Activity Part 3 Identify at what level of consciousness each of the following exists. Id - Ego Superego

Iceberg Activity Part 3 EGO S U P E R G O ID

Structure of Personality Summary

Freud's Iceberg Model Activity P E R G O E G O 3 and 10 E B 1, 8 and 12 D A 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11 ID C F

Structure of Personality Example #1 ID, EGO or SUPEREGO? incorporates the values and morals of society which are learned from one's parents and others It develops around the age of 3 – 5 function is to control the id's impulses, especially those which society forbids, such as sex and aggression function of persuading the ego to turn to moralistic goals rather than simply realistic ones and to strive for perfection determined in childhood from parental values and how you were brought up. The answer is . . . SUPEREGO

Structure of Personality Example # ID, EGO or SUPEREGO? primitive and instinctive component of personality consists of all the inherited (i.e. biological) components of personality, including the sex (life) instinct – Eros (which contains the libido), and the aggressive (death) instinct – Thanatos impulsive (and unconscious) part of our psyche which responds directly and immediately to the instincts demands immediate satisfaction and when this happens we experience pleasure, when it is denied we experience ‘unpleasure’ or pain operates on the pleasure principle The answer is . . . ID

Structure of Personality Example #1 ID, EGO or SUPEREGO? develops in order to mediate between the unrealistic id and the external real world seeks pleasure and avoids pain, but is concerned with devising a realistic strategy to obtain pleasure It engages in secondary process thinking, which is rational, realistic, and orientated towards problem solving. operates according to the reality principle The answer is . . . EGO

Defense Mechanisms Unconscious tactics used by the ego to protect against anxiety & guilt (from id & superego) by preventing material from surfacing or disguising it when it does Examples: repression, regression, denial, reaction formation, projection, rationalization, displacement We all use defense mechanisms on a daily basis They are unconscious – we aren’t aware of what we’re doing

Repression The exclusion from conscious awareness of a painful, unpleasant, or undesirable memory or urge. Repression is the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, feelings and impulses. The key to repression is that people do it unconsciously, so they often have very little control over it. “Repressed memories” are memories that have been unconsciously blocked from access or view. Example: Nate witnessed his mother being beaten by a mugger when he was seven years old. As an adult, he does not remember this incident.

Repression Cartoon

Regression In times of stress, an individual’s reverting to a behavior that is associated with an earlier stage of development Example: When six-year-old Jim gets less attention from his parents because of a new baby brother, he suddenly starts to wet his bed at night.

Regression Cartoon

Denial Not being willing to accept the truth. Example: Kate’s use of alcohol starts to affect her academic performance, her job, and her relationships. However, she insists that she drinks only to relieve stress and that she does not have an alcohol problem.

Denial Cartoon

Reaction Formation When a person behaves in a way that contradicts their actual thoughts. Example: Lisa feels attracted to her roommate’s boyfriend but does not admit this to herself. Instead, she constantly makes very disparaging comments about the boyfriend and feels disgusted by the way he acts.

Reaction Formation Cartoon

Projection Ascribing or assigning one’s own undesirable feelings or thoughts to others. Example: Mario feels angry toward his father but is not aware of it. Instead, he complains that he cannot be around his father because his father is such an angry man.

Projection Cartoon

Rationalization Providing excuses or explanations to justify thoughts or behaviors. Example: Sylvia runs a red light while driving. She justifies this by telling herself she was already in the intersection when the light changed to red.

Rationalization Cartoon

Displacement Shifting anger and hostility to a less threatening target. Example: Seth is angry at his professor for giving him a bad grade. He leaves class and shouts angrily at a passerby who accidentally bumps into him.

Displacement Cartoon

Defense Mechanisms Example #1 People who are addicted to drugs don’t want to admit it. (Denial)

Defense Mechanisms Example #2 Mason got into an argument with his teacher and slammed the door on the way out. (Displacement)

Defense Mechanisms Example #3 You say to your friend, “You’re such a liar!” when you feel guilty about recent lies you told. (Projection)

Defense Mechanisms Example #4 Jimmy has a crush on Jill, but instead of showing it he makes fun of her. (Reaction Formation)

Defense Mechanisms Example #5 "The test had too many trick questions; I really know all the material; our instructor is out to get me." (Rationalization)

Defense Mechanisms Example #6 Sarah cried in response to getting a speeding ticket. (Regression)

Defense Mechanisms Example #7 An accident victim can remember nothing about his accident. (Repression)

Objectives: Describe the three levels of consciousness from Freud' theory. Conscious, Preconscious, and Unconscious Explain the structures of personality in Freud' theory. Id, Ego and Superego Describe psychological defense mechanisms. Repression, Regression, Denial, Reaction Formation, Projection, Rationalization, Displacement Explain the five stages of psychosexual development in Freud' theory. Oral – Anal – Phallic – Latency – Genital Discuss some of the major contributions of other psychodynamic theorists. Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Karen Horney