PSYC+212+SU+2

PSYC 212 Study Unit 2: Psychoanalysis and personality: Freud Dr Shanaé Theunissen (shanae.theunissen@nwu. ac.za).

Outcomes for this Unit • Define why Freud’s theory can be classified as a psychoanalytical psychosocial conflict theory; • Describe Freud’s topography of the structure of personality which consists of three structural properties (namely the id, ego and superego) and how these properties function on three levels of consciousness; • Understand Freud’s deterministic drive theory to explain human functioning; • Understand the important role that Freud allocates to anxiety and defence mechanisms in explaining human behaviour; • Understand Freud’s psychosexual theory in explaining the development of a person; • Understand Freud’s view of psychopathology and psychotherapy; and • Critically evaluate the relevance of Freud’s theory for modern day psychology..

View of the Person • Psychoanalytical: Involving/Using psychoanalysis: Looks at the relationship between conscious and unconscious drives • Psychosocial Conflict: Constant conflict between drives in the psyche and social norms • Three basic assumptions • Psychosocial conflict: • Conflict between drives & social demands • Satisfaction of sexual/aggressive drives VS moral principles of society • Want to experience as much pleasure with as little guilt • Biological Determinism • Drives are biologically based • Drives localised in the Id and societal norms in the superego • Conflict between these drives in the psyche determines behaviour • Mechanistic assumptions • Humans function in a mechanistic way • Principle of energy consumption, conservation and transformation • Drive Theory.

View of the Person – Case Study The subject of this case study is Alex, a 35-year-old individual who has been struggling with anxiety and relationship issues. Alex has a history of turbulent relationships, and their anxiety often manifests as intense worry about abandonment and rejection. She has sought therapy to address these concerns. 1. Psychosocial Conflict Freud believed that psychosocial conflict arises from the interaction between innate biological drives (id) and societal demands (Superego). In Alex's case, their anxiety and relationship struggles can be attributed to unresolved conflicts at different stages of their psychosexual development..

View of the Person – Case Study a. Oral Stage: During infancy, Alex may have experienced insufficient gratification or excessive frustration related to oral needs. This unresolved conflict could contribute to their fear of abandonment and her tendency to seek constant reassurance and emotional support. b. Anal Stage: If Alex experienced conflicts related to toilet training, such as strict control or harsh punishment, it may have led to an internal struggle between compliance and rebellion. This conflict could manifest as a fear of intimacy and a tendency to be controlling or excessively neat in relationships. c. Phallic Stage: Unresolved conflicts during this stage, such as the Oedipus or Electra complexes, could affect Alex's relationships and self-perception. These conflicts involve unconscious desires for the opposite-sex parent and feelings of rivalry toward the same-sex parent. Alex's anxiety and relationship struggles may stem from unresolved conflicts and guilt associated with these complex dynamics..

View of the Person – Case Study 2. Biological Determinism Freud believed that biological drives, such as sexual and aggressive instincts, significantly influence human behavior. Alex's experiences can be analyzed through the lens of biological determinism to understand the underlying factors contributing to their anxiety and relationship issues. a. Libido and Thanatos: Freud proposed that the libido, or life instinct, and the thanatos, or death instinct, are fundamental drives that shape human behavior. Alex's anxiety and relationship struggles may be influenced by the interplay between their sexual desires and aggressive tendencies. These drives can create internal conflicts, leading to anxiety and difficulty maintaining stable relationships. b. Fixation and Regression: Freud suggested that unresolved conflicts during psychosexual development can result in fixation, where an individual becomes fixated on a particular stage. Alex's anxiety and relationship struggles may be rooted in fixation or regression, wherein they may unconsciously revert to earlier stages of development due to unresolved conflicts. This regression can impact their ability to form mature, satisfying relationships..

View of the Person – Case Study 3. Mechanistic Assumptions Freud's psychoanalytic theory was rooted in mechanistic assumptions, perceiving the human mind as an intricate machine driven by unconscious processes. Understanding these assumptions helps shed light on the case at hand. a. Unconscious Mind According to Freud, the unconscious mind influences thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without individuals being aware of it. Alex's anxiety and relationship issues may be influenced by unconscious conflicts, desires, or traumatic experiences that are yet to be explored or processed consciously. b. Defense Mechanisms Freud proposed that individuals employ defense mechanisms to cope with anxiety and protect the conscious mind from distressing thoughts or emotions. Alex may exhibit defense mechanisms such as denial, repression, or projection, which can impact their perception of reality and hinder personal growth..

Structure of Personality.

Structure of Personality: Id • Innate, Primitive component • Energy linked to Eros drive • Functions according to primary processes and pleasure principle • Not capable of thought • No external contact with reality • Only capable of wish fulfilment.

Structure of Personality: Ego • Develops to ensure Id survival • Exists to serve Id’s Needs • Secondary process: Postpone/plan satisfaction of drives • Reality Principle: Takes reality into account • Appropriate objects for drive satisfaction found: Invest psychic energy • Moral aspect – superego • Ego is balances needs of Id and Superego • Drives not satisfied: Id threatens with tension and discomfort • Superego threatens with guilt and punishment • Ego: Psychic difficulties due to demands of Id and superego • Functions on all 3 levels of consciousness.

Structure of Personality: Superego • Develops form the ego to serve the behavioural and moral codes of society • Serves pressurize the individual to abide by societal codes • Functions according to moral principle • Punish element – conscience • Dimension encouraging moral behaviour – ego-ideal • Conscience and ego-ideal pressures ego • Pressure requires energy – obtained form Thanatos drive • Functions on all levels of consciousness • Pressurizes the ego to keep forbidden drives & thoughts unconscious • Serious conflicts – psychological problems.

Structure of Personality: Levels of Consciousness • Conscious • Thoughts, feelings, experiences that the person is aware of • Content changes all the time • Preconscious • Information that can be recalled to consciousness without much effort • Memories – not painful and not anxiety causing • Unconscious • Forbidden drives & memories of events and wishes that can cause pain, anxiety and guilt • Cannot be recalled to conscious mind.

Structure of Personality: Case Study Alex is a successful marketing executive who is known for her ambitious nature and competitive drive. However, she often struggles with maintaining healthy relationships and experiences recurring anxiety and stress..

Structure of Personality: Case Study Conscious Level: Sarah's conscious level primarily encompasses her immediate thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. This level represents her awareness of the present moment. For instance, she is conscious of her desire to excel in her career and actively seeks opportunities for professional growth. Preconscious Level: The preconscious level refers to mental processes and information that are not immediately accessible but can be retrieved into consciousness. In Sarah's case, her childhood memories, dreams, and learned experiences fall into the preconscious level. These memories and experiences may influence her thoughts and behavior without her being fully aware of them. Unconscious Level: The unconscious level represents hidden desires, fears, and traumatic experiences that have been repressed from conscious awareness. Sarah's unconscious mind harbors unresolved childhood conflicts and repressed emotions, contributing to her recurring anxiety and relationship difficulties..

Structure of Personality: Case Study The Id The id represents the primitive and instinctual part of the psyche, operating on the pleasure principle. Sarah's id is driven by her intense ambition and competitive nature. She often prioritizes personal success and immediate gratification, sometimes at the expense of her relationships. The Ego The ego serves as the mediator between the id and the external world, operating on the reality principle. Sarah's ego attempts to balance her desires with the demands and constraints of the external world. It helps her make rational decisions and consider the long- term consequences of her actions. The Superego The superego incorporates societal values and moral standards, serving as the internalized parental voice. Sarah's superego is strongly influenced by her parents' expectations of success and perfection. She often experiences guilt and self-criticism when she perceives herself falling short of these expectations..

Dynamics of Personality • Mechanistic assumption: Human functioning requires energy • Cope with conflict between energies: Drive theory • Motivates a person to function and directs behaviour • General characteristics of Drives • Source (Erogenous Zone) • Impetus of energy (Quantity/Intensity) • Goal • Object • Types of drives • Life drives (Eros) • Death drives (Thanatos) • Anxiety • Reality anxiety • Neurotic anxiety • Moral anxiety.

Dynamics of Personality: Defence Mechanisms.

Dynamics of Personality: Case Study John is a 45-year-old man who recently lost his job due to downsizing in his company. He has been married for 20 years and has two teenage children. Lately, John has been experiencing feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and irritability. His relationships with his family and friends have become strained, and he has difficulty finding new employment..

Dynamics of Personality: Case Study Repression: One of the core defense mechanisms described by Freud, repression involves pushing distressing thoughts, memories, or desires into the unconscious mind. In John's case, he displays signs of repressed anger and resentment towards his former employer. Rather than acknowledging and expressing these feelings directly, John unconsciously represses them, leading to increased irritability and difficulty in forming new professional connections. Denial: Denial is the defense mechanism that involves refusing to accept the reality of a distressing situation or emotion. John exhibits denial regarding the loss of his job, insisting that everything will work out eventually and that he will find a new job soon. This denial shields him from the painful reality and allows him to maintain a sense of control and optimism..

Dynamics of Personality: Case Study Rationalization involves creating plausible explanations or justifications for one's behaviors, thoughts, or feelings to avoid facing the true motives or underlying conflicts. In John's case, he rationalizes his lack of job opportunities by blaming external factors, such as the state of the job market or the unfairness of the corporate world. This rationalization shields him from confronting his potential shortcomings or the need for personal growth. Displacement occurs when an individual redirects their emotions or impulses from the original target to a less threatening or safer substitute. John frequently experiences outbursts of anger towards his children, seemingly over minor issues. This displacement of anger allows him to vent his frustrations without jeopardizing his relationship with his employer or spouse, albeit at the cost of strained family dynamics..

Development of Personality.