© 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. The Personality Puzzle Sixth Edition by David C. Funder Chapter 10: Basics of Psychoanalysis Slides created by Tera D. Letzring Idaho State University 1

Objectives Discuss the key ideas of psychoanalysis Discuss Freud’s theory of psychological development Discuss Freud’s idea of how the mind is structured Discuss implications for psychotherapy and modern life 2 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Sigmund Freud Self-analysis Case studies Spent decades writing and revising his theories Galileo, Darwin, Freud…? Vienna in the mid 1800s (sexist and sexually oppressed time period) 3 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. (1856 – 1939)

Key Ideas Psychic Determinism Internal Structure (Id, Ego, Superego) Compromise Formation Mental Energy 4

Psychic Determinism Definition: EVERYTHING that happens in a person’s mind has a specific cause. – Free will and random accidents do not exist Leads to idea of the unconscious – Supported by modern research (i.e., implicit memories) 5 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Internal Structure The mind is made of separate parts that function independently and can conflict with each other. Id: irrational and emotional Ego: rational Superego: moral 6 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychic Conflict and Compromise The mind can conflict with itself Compromise formation – The ego’s main job – The result of the compromise is what the individual consciously thinks and actually does – Used in modern psychoanalytic thought 7 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Mental Energy Libido – the life drive The amount of energy is fixed and finite Some implications not supported by research: expression of anger Modern research: information-processing capacity is limited 8 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychoanalysis: Controversy Moral: do not like emphasis on sex and sexual energy Scientific: theory is unscientific Personal level: People do not want to be told why they really did something, especially when you are correct. 9 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychoanalysis, Life, and Death Two fundamental motives Libido – Creation, protection, and enjoyment of life – Creativity, productivity, and growth Thanatos – People engage in a lot of irrational destructive activity – Drive toward death – Less theoretical emphasis 10 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development Focus on where the psychic energy (libido) is and how it is used Stage theory of development – Oral, Anal, Phallic, Genital Aspects of each stage – Physical focus – Psychological theme – Adult character type Fixation and regression 11 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development: Oral Stage Timing: birth to 18 months Physical focus: mouth, lips, and tongue Psychological theme: dependency Only the id exists 12 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development: Oral Stage Two ways things can go wrong: needs are not fulfilled or needs are fulfilled instantly and automatically Adult character type: too independent vs. passive 13 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development: Anal Stage Timing: about 18 months to 3 years Physical focus: anus and organs of elimination Psychological theme: self- control and obedience 14 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development: Anal Stage Development of the ego Two ways things can go wrong: unreasonable expectations and never demanding control of urges Adult character type: overcontrolled vs. undercontrolled 15 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development: Phallic Stage Timing: about 3 ½ to 7 years Physical focus: sexual organs Basic task: coming to terms with sex differences and their implications Oedipal crisis 16 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development: Phallic Stage Psychological themes – Gender identity and sexuality Identification – Love, fear, and jealousy Development of morality, conscience, and the superego Adult character type: rigid moral code (asexual) vs. lack of moral code (promiscuous) 17 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development: Latency Timing: about 7 years to puberty A break from development Concentrate on learning the tasks of childhood 18 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychological Development: Genital Stage Timing: puberty on – This stage is not passed through, but attained Physical focus: genitals, sexuality in the context of a mature relationship Focus on creation and enhancement of life Psychological theme: maturity Achievement: well-adjusted and balanced – Mental health: the ability “to love and to work” 19 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Three Levels of Consciousness 1) Conscious mind – Least important – Some of the ego 2) Preconscious 3) Unconscious – All of the id and superego and some of the ego – Most important 20 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychoanalysis as a Therapy Unconscious conflicts are what make people anxious and unhappy – Use clues to reveal the contents of the unconscious 21 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychoanalysis as a Therapy Resolve problems by bringing unconscious conflicts to the surface so ego can deal with them – Takes time and can be painful – May increase anxiety in the beginning – Patients must be comforted and guided through this process Therapeutic alliance, with power through transference 22 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Psychoanalysis as a Therapy Criticisms: low cure rate and length of treatment Recent research Rather than a therapy, psychoanalysis can be thought of as a tool for understanding human nature and culture – Do you agree with this idea? 23 © 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.