Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality Ch. 14 Sec 2

Sigmund Freud and the Unconscious Unconscious: the part of the mind that we are unaware of, yet strongly influences our behavior and thoughts. Freudian slips and dreams are NOT coincidental mistakes.

Id, Ego, and Superego Id: “The Pleasure Principal”. Holds our instinctual and biological urges. At birth, all our energy is invested in the id- all we want is to sleep and eat. What you WANT to do. The Selfish Beast

Id, Ego, and Superego Ego: “The Reality Principle” The most conscious- it’s just “you”. Rational and thoughtful. What you CAN do. The Executive

Id, Ego, and Superego Superego: “The Moral Principle” Source of conscience Counteracts the socially undesirable impulses of the id. What you SHOULD do. The id and superego are in constant conflict. The ego must try to satisfy the demands of both, and this can cause stress. The conscience

Defense Mechanisms Rationalization: make up acceptable excuses for things that make us anxious. Repression: push painful memories into the unconscious. Denial: not accepting the reality of a situation. Projection: believing you see your own flaws in another person.

Defense Mechanisms Reaction Formation: “putting on a front”; replacing an unacceptable urge or feeling with an opposite one. Regression: going back to an earlier and less mature pattern of behavior. Displacement: you cannot express your feelings one way, so you express them in another. Sublimination: redirecting a forbidden desire into a socially acceptable one.

Diagnose their Defense Mechanisms: That 70s Show!