Freud & Psychoanalysis
Personality Theory
ID
- storehouse of biologically based motives and instinctual reactions for satisfying motives
-unlearned biologically based motives major motives/instinctual drives: sexual and destructive urges energy of these is libido
-left to itself Id would satisfy motives without regard to life or morals
EGO
-learned instrumental acts to satisfy motives
-elaborate ways of dealing with world-it delays satisfaction of motives
-channels motives into socially acceptable outlets -keeps one working getting along with others and adjusting to realities
-the ego works in the service of the reality principle
SUPEREGO
-socially derived motives that affect and conflict with the first two
-corresponds to conscience -restraints acquired in course of personality development on activity of ego and id
-the superego would condemn as wrong certain things which ego would do in order to satisfy the id's motives
-superego keeps person working towards the ideals
-ego ideals acquired in childhood
There is no clear line separating the 3. When libido blocked by ego/superego energy may be displaced to seek out acceptable outlet
ID in conflict causes anxiety which triggers defence mechanisms
Freud's Stages of Development
Pregenital Stages:
Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency stage
Genital Stage-- puberty Person can become fixated at any stage if person experiences frustration anxiety, insecurity
ORAL STAGE
-1st year infant receives pleasure from sucking and other activities with the mouth - if infant is prevented from sucking or made anxious child could develop oral fixation-later in life this could lead to excessive oral behaviour-->greed, dependence, passivity, smoking, chewing pencil end, sucking thumb
ANAL STAGE -2-3 years child focuses interests on anal activity (toilet training and suppressing naughty behaviour connected with excretion) -if training too strict---> anxieties and anal syndrome- compulsiveness, excessive conformity /self control
PHALLIC STAGE --after toilet training focus on sex organs-romantic feeling to opposite sex-- Oedipus complex, Electra complex -threat of castration by father---> anxiety results in normal identification with threat
LATENCY -6--->puberty-elaboration and strengthening of defence mechanisms to protect individual
GENITAL- puberty-instead of interest in self focuses on others
Problems with Freud's Theory
-based on anecdotal information -based on clinical impressions not careful measurement -patients were all rich Viennese women
For more information about Freud see The Freud Page or A Guide to Freud
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copyright 2003Karen E.Hamilton