Introduction to Theories

Modern Biological View – Brains, Genes and Behaviour Developed as science and technology grew Role of the highly developed brain Biochemical processes underlying thoughts, feelings, emotions, actions Genetic Influences on behaviour

Evolutionary Psychology – Grew out of Darwin’s natural selection Evolutionary pressures led to development of brain mechanisms that help us to: Learn Think Reason Socialize

Sociobiology-a branch of evolutionary psychology everything we do is related to helping our genes carry on example – aggression, competition, and dominance in males, altruism?? Critics say continuation of species is important to our behaviour and development, but we must also consider our behaviour in light of our need to be social and live together

Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytic Theory There are several – all originated with Sigmund Freud. All psychodynamic theories suggest that personality is characterized by a dynamic struggle between *our drives for sex, aggression, and superiority, and; *the laws, social rules, and moral codes of society. Once we have learned the social rules, we have inner conflict between these two forces

Freud developed a theory of the human mind (see diagram p. 493)

Three structures: The Id Follows the pleasure principle – demands gratification of instincts without consideration of law, social custom, or the needs of others present at birth represents psychological drives entirely unconscious

The Ego Follows the Reality Principle – takes into account what is practical, along with what is urged by the Id develops in the first year of life when demands are not met instantly reason and good sense curbs the id through defense mechanisms makes plans consistent with social conventions, while trying to satisfy the id provides person’s conscious sense of self mostly conscious, some unconscious

The Super Ego Develops throughout early childhood and represents the Moral Principle incorporation of the moral standards and values of society a person’s ideal self conscience/moral guardian judges right and wrong floods ego with guilt and shame if plan is judged to be negative

The ego gets stuck between the id and the superego

To explore the unconscious part of the mind, Freud developed a form of “mental detective” work called psychoanalysis. His theory of personality is also referred to as Psychoanalytic Theory as a result of this term

During psychoanalysis, patients are encouraged to talk about anything that pops into their mind.

"How many psychoanalysts does it take to change a lightbulb "How many psychoanalysts does it take to change a lightbulb?... Just the one - but it takes a very long time, and the lightbulb has got to want to change".

The Freudian Slip – when you say something by accident that might reveal what is in your unconscious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iPaiylUYW0

Freud also developed an theory about how people develop over time Text…. Criticism of Freud Unscientific Untestable and unobservable Too much focus on sexuality

But: We do know that unconscious processes do occur and affect behaviour Defense Mechanisms - See handout