Personality Development Lap 4 Psychodynamic and Cognitive Theories Part I
What does Psychology want to accomplish?
Theories of Personality Goal- to EXPLAIN similarities/ differences To provide reasons for differences in personalities To discover patterns To determine how life can be improved
Psychodynamic Theories Personality/ behavior is the result of unconscious motivations and conflicts Only a small part of the mind is conscious Unconscious- things recalled with effort Theorists: Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler Criticisms include the unscientific nature of the ideas Ignores the “neurological” parts of the brain
Freud and Personality Personality develops at different stages in life The Structure of Personality: Behavior is the result of interaction and conflict between 3 elements Id- inborn, impulsive, instinctive drives Demands satisfaction Libido-- Life-preserving (sexual) drive Aggressive, destructive drive Pleasure Principle– impulses should be satisfied, regardless of consequences!
Freud and Personality The structure of personality: Ego- Executive agent of personality Mediates between self and world Compromise to satisfy the demands of the ID– reason and strategy Reality principle- delays pleasure until a suitable object available Defense Mechanisms to protect it (Lap 2) Denial, repression, projection, intellectualization, etc
Freud and Personality The structure of personality: Superego- Conscience/ moral standards/ right vs wrong Superego blocks the aggressive and sexual impulses of the ID Controls the ID Ideal Self- how we should be… leads to feelings of guilt or pride
Freud Personality develops over time Childhood experiences continue to influence behaviors 5 Stages of Personality Development Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital Milestones and conflicts of each Oedipus complex in phallic stage Focused on the role of primitive urges/ sexual instincts
Freud Conflict leads to maladjustment Goal of therapy- to uncover the hidden root of current problems and reveal the unconscious mind Therapy methods - “talking outo” lead to “free association” and dream analysis Dreams: the expression of emotional memories