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intro to personality chapter 3 notes
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- McGill University (Mcgillu)
intro to personality chapter 3 notes
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The Psychoanalytic Approach: Freudian Theory: This section introduces Sigmund Freud'spsychoanalytic approach to understanding personality. It's a psychological theory developed by
Freud in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that focuses on the role of the unconscious mind
in shaping human behavior.
Freud Discovers the Unconscious: This part likely discusses how Freud's work led him to the
discovery of the unconscious mind. Freud's theory posits that many of our thoughts, desires,
and motives are hidden in the unconscious, influencing our conscious behavior.
The Freudian Theory of Personality: This section delves into the core components of Freud's
theory. It explores how personality is structured and how unconscious processes, defense
mechanisms, and psychosexual development play significant roles.
The Topographic Model: Freud's topographic model of the mind divides it into three layers:
conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. It explains how thoughts move between these layers
and influence behavior.
The Structural Model: Freud's structural model divides personality into three parts: the id, ego,
and superego. This model elucidates the conflict and balance between instinctual desires (id),
rationality (ego), and moral values (superego) in shaping personality.
Libido and Thanatos: These are fundamental concepts in Freud's theory. Libido represents the
life instinct, while Thanatos represents the death instinct. These forces influence human
behavior and motivation.
Defense Mechanisms: Freud proposed that people use various defense mechanisms (e.g.,
repression, denial, projection) to cope with anxiety and protect the conscious mind from
disturbing thoughts and desires. This section may discuss some of these mechanisms in detail.
Psychosexual Stages of Development: Freud proposed a series of psychosexual stages (e.g.,
oral, anal, phallic) through which individuals pass during childhood. Each stage involves conflicts
related to basic desires and needs, and the resolution of these conflicts shapes personality
development.
Getting at Unconscious Material: This part likely discusses the techniques and methods Freud
and psychoanalysts use to access and interpret unconscious material, such as dream analysis
and free association.
Application: Psychoanalysis: This section explores how Freud's psychoanalytic theory is applied
in psychoanalysis, a therapeutic approach aimed at uncovering and addressing unconscious
conflicts and patterns to improve mental health.
Assessment: Projective Tests: Projective tests are psychological assessments designed to reveal
hidden thoughts and emotions. This part may explain how these tests work, their history, and
their use in assessing personality.
Some Popular Projective Tests: This subsection may provide examples of well-known projective
tests like the Rorschach inkblot test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
Evaluation of Projective Tests: It likely discusses the strengths and weaknesses of projective
tests as tools for assessing personality, including their subjectivity and potential for
interpretation bias.
Strengths and Criticisms of Freud’s Theory: This section evaluates the Freudian theory by
discussing its strengths and criticisms.
Strengths: These are the positive aspects and contributions of Freud's theory to
psychology, such as its role in pioneering the exploration of the unconscious mind.
, Criticisms: These are the challenges, limitations, and controversies surrounding Freud's
theory, including its lack of empirical evidence and cultural biases.
Life of Freud
Freud's Austria: Sigmund Freud's early life was set in Austria, a country characterized by
a particularly strict form of Victorian sexual morality, even more so than in England. This
moral rigidity had a significant influence on the culture and mindset of the society in
which Freud lived.
Moral Preoccupation with Sexuality: Austria of Freud's time was intensely preoccupied
with matters of sexual morality, especially concerning women and children. In this
environment, young women were expected to maintain chastity until marriage. Any
form of sexual exploration or even the discussion of sexuality was suppressed.
Freud
Unusual Sexual Desires: Freud's pioneering work delved into the realm of sexual desires
that society often deemed unusual or "perverse." He argued that these unconventional
desires were not confined to any specific group but were present in children, neurotic
adults, and even individuals considered normal. Freud's key insight was that these
desires became unconscious, meaning they were not under conscious control, and this
played a crucial role in his psychoanalytic theories.
Manifestation of Unconscious Desires: Unconscious sexual desires, according to Freud,
manifested themselves in various ways. They influenced a person's involuntary actions,
like unintentional mistakes or slips of the tongue, and could also contribute to mental
pathologies such as obsession, paranoia, hysteria, and anxiety.
Life of Freud
Work as a Clinical Neurologist: Before becoming the father of psychoanalysis, Freud
worked as a clinical neurologist. This background in neurology had a substantial impact
on his approach to understanding the human mind.
Study with Charcot: Freud had the opportunity to study under the renowned French
neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. This experience exposed him to cutting-edge research
in neurology and the treatment of mental disorders.
Exploration of Cocaine: At one point, Freud was enthusiastic about the potential
benefits of cocaine. He even wrote about the substance's potential therapeutic uses.
However, he later distanced himself from these claims as more was learned about the
substance's risks.
Development of Psychoanalytic Practice: Freud's most enduring contribution to the
field of psychology was the development of psychoanalysis. This therapeutic approach
focused on uncovering unconscious thoughts and desires to understand and treat
mental disorders.
Group of Disciples: Freud's work attracted a dedicated group of followers and disciples
who furthered the understanding and application of psychoanalysis.
Escape from Nazi Invasion: Freud and his family were forced to escape Austria due to
the Nazi invasion, primarily because of their Jewish heritage. This period marked a
challenging chapter in Freud's life.
Instincts
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