Sigmund Freud 1856 - 1939 Sigmund Freud was born on May 6, 1856 in the Moravian town of Pribor, Austrian Empire, which is now part of the Czech Republic. While some of Freud's ideas have fallen out of favor and modern advances in the field of psychology have shown flaws in many of his theories, Freud's work still remains important.

Major contributions by Freud Interpretation of Dreams Levels of Consciousness Personality: Id, Ego, Superego Defense Mechanisms Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development

Fundamental Assumptions of Psychoanalytic Theory Unconscious Motivation Individuals control their sexual and aggressive urges by placing them in the unconscious These take on a life of their own and become the motivated unconscious According to Freud the mind is made up of 3 parts: the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. The latter is the largest part of the mind and manifests itself in the dreams, “slips of the tongue”, irrational feelings, physical symptoms, or inexplicable anxiety.

Fundamental Assumptions of Psychoanalytic Theory Psychic Determinism Nothing happens by chance or accident Everything we do, think, say, and feel is an expression of our mind

Interpretation of Dreams Freud was interested in dreams from boyhood Purpose of a dream is to fulfill a wish People’s desires and hatred of others are expressed in dreams

Repression Refers to ideas one has had that are pushed into the unconscious so that the person is completely unaware of having the thought. So, not remembering your dreams could be due to Repression. We’ll come back to this later…

Levels of Consciousness Conscious - current awareness Preconscious - not aware of material but it’s retrievable (via ordinary retrieval) Unconscious - not aware of material but it’s not retrievable (via ordinary retrieval)

Issues Regarding the Unconscious How can the existence of the unconscious be demonstrated? Why do humans have an unconscious?

Personality and Psychoanalysis Techniques for Revealing the Unconscious Free Association Dream Analysis Projective Techniques Free Association: Speaking whatever comes into your mind without censoring your thoughts. Psychoanalysts must be able to recognize the subtle signs that something important has just been mentioned. Dream Analysis: Uncovering unconscious material in a dream by interpreting the content of a dream. Consists of manifest content (what the dream actually contains) and latent content (what the elements of the dream actually represent) Projective Techniques: Uses the idea that what a person sees in an ambiguous figure reflects his or her personality.

The Structure of Personality ID EGO Psychoanalytic theory concerns how people cope with their sexual and aggressive instincts within the constraints of a civilized society. One part of the mind creates urges, another has a sense of what civilized society expects, and another part of the mind tries to satisfy the urges within the bounds of reality and society. These parts of the mind are in constant interaction. They have different goals, provoking internal conflicts within an individual. SUPEREGO

The Structure of Personality Id = “das Es” Most primitive, instinctual part of the mind; what we are born with Source of all drives and urges Operates according to the Pleasure Principle Entirely unconscious The pleasure principle is the desire for immediate gratification. Primary process thinking is thinking without logical rules of conscious thought or an anchor in reality.

The Structure of Personality Id, con’t. Demands immediate gratification; Eat, sleep, comfort, pleasure Does this continue to effect us in later life?

The Structure of Personality Ego = “I myself” (Das Ich) Rational, decision-making component Operates on the Reality Principle Seeks to delay gratification of the Id’s urges until an appropriate time Partly conscious

The Structure of Personality Ego – con’t The part of the mind that constrains the id to reality Develops around 2-3 years of age Operates according to the Reality Principle Mediates between Id, Superego, and environment The ego recognizes under the reality principle that the urges of the id are often in conflict with social and physical reality. The ego engages in secondary process thinking which refers to the development and devising of strategies for problem solving and obtaining satisfaction.

The Structure of Personality The Superego = Upholder of Values and Ideals The part of the mind that internalizes the values, morals, and ideals of society Develops around age 5 Not bound by reality “Let your conscious be your guide” The superego determines what is right and what is wrong, and enforces this through the emotion of guilt. It sets the moral goals and ideals of perfection.

Structure of Personality Superego = “Das Uber Ich” Operates on the Morality Principle Seeks the perfect, ultimate, or ideal world Strives for perfection by using guilt, shame, and doubt Mostly unconscious

Psychodynamics Conflict Model: The Id and superego often want opposite results; Individual vs. society Restrain expression of all drives Surplus energy results in anxiety

Psychodynamics So…the Ego tries to mediate these conflicts When the demands of the id or superego threaten to overwhelm the ego- anxiety results Id – acts impulsively or destructively Superego – acts with guilt

Psychodynamcis Sometimes the Ego may distort reality and change the person’s view of his/her life or actions The ego develops ways to protect or defend itself = Defense Mechanisms

Defense Mechanisms Unconscious psychological processes designed to avoid or reduce the conscious experience of anxiety The ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality: occurs when the ego can not find an acceptable outlet for the id’s urges or when the ego fears losing control of the “war” between the id and the superego

Repression Ideas or thoughts are pushed into the unconscious so that the person is completely unaware of having the thought. Not remembering your dreams could be due to Repression. Freud believed that people often tend to remember the pleasant circumstances surrounding some event , and that unpleasant memories are often repressed.

Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Repression Bury anxiety to the Unconscious The process of preventing unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or urges from reaching conscious awareness Forgetting – is it real? Repression was the forerunner of all other forms of defense mechanisms. Freud believed that people often tend to remember the pleasant circumstances surrounding some event , and that unpleasant memories are often repressed.

Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Displacement Shifting powerful emotions toward a substitute Channel “unacceptable” impulse to non-threatening target

Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Sublimation Rechanneling unacceptable urges to socially acceptable outlets

Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Rationalization Making a plausible excuse and not acknowledging your true motives, Generating acceptable reasons for outcomes that might otherwise appear socially unacceptable. “Everyone does it” Cheating on tests, Getting alcohol tickets

Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Denial: Parents say: “Look how adorable our child is!!!!!” Not perceiving the reality of a situation Unable to acknowledge the “truth” of your choices… “It’s not as bad as it seems!” Repression was the forerunner of all other forms of defense mechanisms. Freud believed that people often tend to remember the pleasant circumstances surrounding some event , and that unpleasant memories are often repressed.

Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Reaction Formation Act opposite of impulse Behave the opposite of your true feeling Freud believed that the presence of anxiety is evidence that repression is starting to fail, so other defense mechanisms may be brought into play. Denial: insisting that things are not what they seem. Displacement: a threatening impulse is channeled to a non-threatening target. Rationalization: generating acceptable reasons for outcomes that might otherwise appear socially unacceptable. Reaction Formation: in an attempt to stifle an unacceptable urge, displaying a flurry of behavior that indicates the opposite impulse. Projection: seeing in others those traits and desires that we find most upsetting in ourselves. Sublimation: channeling unacceptable sexual or aggressive instincts into socially desired activities.

Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Projection Attribute your unacceptable urges on to someone else Seeing in others those traits and desires that we find most upsetting in ourselves. EX. Lying, gossiping, homophobia, racism

Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Regression Retreating to immature behavior due to anxiety Toddlers with a new baby in the family 5th graders going into Middle School 8th graders going into High School YOU next year . . .

Other Defense Mechanisms Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Other Defense Mechanisms Isolation/Intellectualization Isolate emotional reaction Process abstractly Freud believed that the presence of anxiety is evidence that repression is starting to fail, so other defense mechanisms may be brought into play. Denial: insisting that things are not what they seem. Displacement: a threatening impulse is channeled to a non-threatening target. Rationalization: generating acceptable reasons for outcomes that might otherwise appear socially unacceptable. Reaction Formation: in an attempt to stifle an unacceptable urge, displaying a flurry of behavior that indicates the opposite impulse. Projection: seeing in others those traits and desires that we find most upsetting in ourselves. Sublimation: channeling unacceptable sexual or aggressive instincts into socially desired activities.

Defense Mechanisms in Everyday Life Anxiety and the Mechanisms of Defense Defense Mechanisms in Everyday Life Useful in coping with unexpected or disappointing events But, can make circumstances worse! Defense mechanisms can help us deal with stress; however, when a behavior inhibits the ability to be productive or to maintain relationships, there may be problems.

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Freud thought the personality was formed by age five Each stage of development represents a different focus/conflict of the id’s pleasure seeking energy Healthy adults resolve these conflicts successfully

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Oral Stage During the 1st year of life the infant derives pleasure through oral activities Sucking, chewing, biting, exploring objects with the mouth

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Oral Stage, con’t Fixation” or problems could lead to difficulties later on Eating disorders, smoking and drinking addictions, non-stop talking, thumb-sucking, pencil biting, etc…

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Anal Stage During the 2nd year of life the toddler derives pleasure from elimination and learning control over elimination Toilet training is considered important Fixation occurs due to punishment or humiliation Fear of rejection, “neat freak,” anal retentive behavior, fear of needing to perfect to please someone (parents)

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Phallic Stage From 3 – 6 years of age the child is interested in genitals and is curious The child develops an attraction to the opposite parent

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Phallic Stage con’t Oedipus complex: Boys feel hostility toward father figure Desire mother’s affection Eventually identify with father

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Phallic Stage, con’t Electra complex: Girls feel contempt for mother figure Desire father’s affection “Daddy’s little girl”

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Latency Stage From ages 7 – 11 the child represses sexual impulses and focuses on developing same –sex friendships

Five Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development Genital Stage From ages 12 to adulthood sexual urges reappear Superego prevents “incestuous” urges toward opposite parent Teenage thus focuses on socially acceptable substitutes “Substitute “ often resembles their opposite sex parent!

Personality and Psychoanalysis The goal of psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious conscious Identify unconscious thoughts and feelings Enable the person to deal with the unconscious urges realistically and maturely But how to penetrate the unconscious mind?

Personality and Psychoanalysis The Process of Psychoanalysis The psychoanalyst offers the patient interpretations of the psychodynamic causes of the problems The interpretations bring insight Resistance may occur as a defense Transference of feelings

Evaluating Freud’s Contributions Proponents argue it is the first and perhaps only comprehensive theory of human nature Psychoanalysis has had a major impact on Western thought Critics maintain it is not contemporary The nature of evidence upon which it was built can be criticized Emphasis on sexual drives is inappropriate

Summary There are 3 main forces in the psyche that constantly interact to tame the 2 motives Defense mechanisms help keep urges, thoughts, and memories that cause anxiety in the unconscious Psychoanalysis is a therapy used for making the patient's unconscious conscious