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Sigmund FreudThe Mind, Dreams and Psychoanalysis
Unit #2 Psychology
Learning Goal: I can identify and analyze the
significant contributions Sigmund Freud has made to our understanding of the mind and personality (Id, Ego, Superego, psychoanalysis, defence mechanisms).
Sigmund Freud
A Developmental Psychologist who believed personal characteristics were found in the unconscious part of the mind.
Freud’s Theory of the Mind (Psyche)the mind consists of 3 distinct but connected parts: id, ego and superego
Freud’s Theory of the Mind: The Iceberg Metaphor
The Idthe ‘little devil’ on your
shoulderoperates at the unconscious
level - under the surface of the water
is present from birth
The Idcontrols our base needs – hunger,
desire, instincts etc. primary goal is to seek pleasure
and avoid pain (the pleasure principle)
Freud believed that wishful thinking and dreams, indicate that the id is at work
The Egothe rational part of the
personality – makes the decisionsoperates primarily at the
conscious level (above the surface of the water), but sometimes moves into the unconscious to balance out the id
The Egooperates on the ‘reality
principle’often thought of as the
referee because it is constantly trying to mediate between the demands of the id and superego
The Superegoacts as our conscience, telling us “what
we should do” – the ‘little angel’ on your shoulder
operates primarily at the pre-conscious level but sometimes moves into the unconscious
the last part of the mind to develop based on our experiences and societies expectations
Freud and PsychoanalysisFreud is considered to be the
‘father of psychoanalytic’ theory
an approach to therapy that focuses on resolving a patient’s conflicted conscious and unconscious feelings
Freud and Psychoanalysis Freud believed that unlocking the
unconscious mind was the key to understanding human behavior and relationships
understanding dreams, memories (both repressed and not), early childhood experiences were also important to understanding human behaviour
Watch this! https://youtu.be/oigpeH4o3o4
Freud and Defense MechanismsMethods (often unconscious) used
to deflect or redirect anxiety or stress. According to Sigmund Freud, all defence mechanisms are a form of denial.
Denial: the unconscious refusal to accept reality
Defense Mechanisms Fantasy:
daydreaming or fantasizing that is prolonged and prevents the individual from functioning normally
Repression: the process of pushing a painful thought
or experience into our unconscious mind amnesia is an extreme form of repression
Defense Mechanisms Rationalization: if we cannot face the real reason(s) for our
behaviour, we may convince ourselves that there are other reasons for them (e.g. the alcoholic that says they drink for social reasons)
Regression: when problems seem too big to handle in a
mature way, we may go back to the behaviour of an earlier time in our lives and exhibit negative, often childlike behaviour ie. sulking, tantrums, dependency, sucking our thumb, smoking etc.
Defense Mechanisms Hysterical Reaction (Hysteria):
when fear and anxiety over a situation is too overwhelming to face, sometimes an individual may temporarily take on physical symptoms that allow them to avoid the situation e.g. temporary blindness, paralysis etc.
Projection: disguising your own threatening impulses by
pinning them on other people (ie. “I did poorly on a test because the teacher hates me”)
Defense Mechanisms Sublimation: Rechanneling unacceptable feelings or impulses
into something that is acceptable (e.g. redirecting your anger, and frustration into painting or working out)
Displacement: taking your anger or other unacceptable feeling
or impulse and diverting it from its original source, to something or someone else (e.g. a wife who is angry at her boss takes out her frustration by yelling at her husband for no particular reason)
Love Story Read the following story and on the
hand out you have been given underline each of the defense mechanisms included in the story.
Identify the specific type of defense mechanism underlined e.g. regression
Love StoryI recently stopped seeing a guy with whom I had been going for the better part of a year and a half. I responded in several different ways. At first, I didn't, no couldn’t, believe that it was true - a year and a half! Then, when I realized it was so, the loneliness was nearly unbearable; I cried most of the time, didn't eat, and smoked constantly. I was sure that he was suffering as much as I, and even told my friends that this was the case.
Love Story (cont’d)Later, I surmised he probably wasn't as miserable and, besides, I decided that I hated him and I hated our relationship. It was then that I started going to parties, seeing other guys and laughing a lot. I was still miserable. I got to thinking about what it would be like to be back with my boyfriend, in his arms, warm, secure, and happy. I reflected for long periods of time upon how happy we had been together and how it would be that perfect way again, if only he would come back to me. It got so bad I decided to call him and ask for another chance, but the strangest thing happened - I forgot his phone number, and then I couldn't remember his name!
Love Story (cont’d)Meanwhile, time was passing and although I was still unhappy, I was beginning to look at the situation more objectively. I tried to evaluate our relationship, and wound up deciding that he was a hypocrite who drank too much and that I was not suited to be a football star's girlfriend anyway. I would never be comfortable with a "star" and the artificial life they lead.
And now for some homework… Complete questions #1 (psychodynamic
theory), 2, 5a,b, 6, 8 and #9 from the textbook handout ‘Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung’s Theories of the Mind and Personality. You may need to consult pp. 59-63 in the black Social Science: an Introduction textbook.
