What is Psychoanalytic Theory?

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Aron York
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What is Psychoanalytic Theory? Today's Objectives: 1. How do we look through a psychoanalytic lens? What are the id, ego, and superego? What are the defense mechanisms and when are they implemented?

1 What is Psychoanalytic Theory? Today's Objectives: 1. How do we look through a psychoanalytic lens? What are the id, ego, and superego? What are the defense mechanisms and when are they implemented? How can we use the defense mechanisms to better understand a character and, ultimately, ourselves? DO NOW: 1. Closely read and analyze the micro fiction piece Water. 2. Annotate as you read. That is, circle key words/phrases that are of significance. Draw conclusions and make inferences in the margin as you read. 3. Consider who the speaker might be and what emotions he/she is experiencing as you read. 3. Answer questions #1 and 2 on handout. Nov 15 1:12 PM Consider the situation below... James has just started a new relationship with a woman he met at school. While talking to her one afternoon, he accidentally calls her by his ex-girlfriend's name. If you were in this situation, how would you explain this mistake to your girlfriend? Nov 6 6:41 PM 1

For most, this situation would be disagreeable and uncomfortable, but one that could be diffused by a laugh and an "it was an accident.

.. if you're Sigmund Freud, the man by which this "slip" is named after, or a psychoanalytic theorist, these misstatements are much more than a random accident.

Nov 6 6:48 PM The psychoanalytic view holds that there are inner forces outside of your awareness that are directing your behavior.

2 For most, this situation would be disagreeable and uncomfortable, but one that could be diffused by a laugh and an "it was an accident." Since many of us have experienced these moments of misstatements, this would be an acceptable answer. In fact, these experiences are commonly referred to as Freudian Slips. However... if you're Sigmund Freud, the man by which this "slip" is named after, or a psychoanalytic theorist, these misstatements are much more than a random accident... They are believed to reveal underlying, unconscious thoughts or feelings. Such beliefs are part of Psychoanalytic Criticism and Theory, founded by Sigmund Freud. Nov 6 6:48 PM The psychoanalytic view holds that there are inner forces outside of your awareness that are directing your behavior. Sigmund Freud, the leader in psychoanalytic theory, believed that it was important to understand the underlying feelings of human nature in order to: 1. Explain why people acted the way they did 2. Understand what happens when such feelings are restricted or ignored These theories, as you may have guessed, were not received well by the traditionalists of the 1940's and 1950's. They did not want to believe that such dark desires existed or that permanent damage could be done when such desires were't met or understood by others; such facts threw a curve ball in their otherwise "perfect" society and were thus widely criticized and met with disbelief. For example, a psychoanalyst might say that James misspoke due to unresolved feelings for his ex or perhaps because of misgivings about his new relationship. Nov 6 7:11 PM 2

3 Let's consider another situation... You're flipping burgers at the local McDonald's as your after school job. Day after day, you go home smelling like pickles and burnt meat not your dream job, but it's helping you pay for that 2009 supped out Jetta you've been eyeing at the local car dealer. On numerous occasions, your boss stands over your shoulder to check the quality of your work, staying for 10, 20, or even 30 minutes. On this particular day your boss stands over your shoulder and begins to criticize your every move, making your blood boil. You've had enough. What do you do? Spit in his face Just take the abuse. You need the money. Nov 6 7:28 PM You have just been overcome by your ID. The id is what Sigmund Freud coined as the unconscious mind driven by impulses, without reason. The id is the "bad"part of your mind coming out in all shapes and forms. You act on your murderous, sexual, and inappropriate desires immediately without thinking about consequenes, risks, or alternatives based on the environment you're in. Think the devil on your left shoulder telling you the "bad" things to do. Nov 6 7:57 PM 3

Think the angel on your right shoulder telling you the appropriate thing to do your conscience. The superego knows what the right thing to do is and feeds this to the ego.

4 You have just been overcome by your SUPEREGO. The superego is what Sigmund Freud coined as the the conscious mind driven by social norms. The superego is the "good" or "angel" part of your mind that gives you reason; listening to the superego will allow you to make appropriate and acceptable decisions in any given situation. Think the angel on your right shoulder telling you the appropriate thing to do your conscience. The superego knows what the right thing to do is and feeds this to the ego. EGO Nov 6 8:23 PM Your EGO is in charge of making the final decision. The ego is what Sigmund Freud coined as the the conscious part of the mind that makes decisions. It takes into account the impulses of the id and the social norms/rules reminded by the superego. Let's get another take on how the id, ego, and superego all work together to help you make decisions... Nov 6 8:23 PM 4

5 A Day at the Beach... A beautiful girl is out for a day at the beach with her girlfriends... a super cute boy is playing volleyball with his friends nearby and the ball accidentally falls onto her blanket... Her Mind's Reactions: ID (unconscious...may not notice it, but may feel it's physical effects): "This guy is hot...make out with him..." (cheeks blush, butterflies in stomach) Ego (realistic - conscious and unconscious fighting): "You probably don't have a chance...he probably has a girlfriend...who even knows...you don't even know this person. What are you thinking?!? Superego (social feelings and morals): "You could try just to talk to him, get to know him better. Maybe you could play volleyball with him and his friends...start slow..." DECISION: The girl's most likely action will be that of the superego. If the girl regrets her action, she may begin to show signs of one of the famous defense mechanisms. Nov 6 8:56 PM The Defense Mechanisms: According to Freud, the ego has developed what he calls defense mechanisms, to cover for the wild demands of the id, which would rarely be socially acceptable. The ego unconsciously changes the id s instinctual impulses to more socially acceptable forms that govern acceptable behavior. All of the defenses can be described as a combination of denial with different ways of rationalization. When we rationalize, we are distorting the facts to make the event or our own impulses less threatening; that is, reducing the anxiety to a manageable level. We often come to believe our own distortions, or excuses, or even lies. Nov 6 9:48 PM 5

6 1. Rationalization This defense simply involves making excuses to defend the behavior, or defend how you might feel about it. If a woman has been rejected from a man she might have a crush on, she can rationalize that he is no good, anyway. If the car that you had been wanting is no longer available, you might rationalize, or talk yourself into the fact that you really didn t like it that much anyway. Another example: saying, Well, everybody else does it when perhaps referring to a behavior like parking in noparking zones or cutting a class. Nov 6 10:05 PM 2. Denial Denial is characterized by having a conscious awareness at some level, but simply denies the reality of the experience by pretending it is not there. An example might be of a woman who might intellectually know that her husband has died but refuses to accept it, still waiting for 5 o clock, the usual time her husband came home from work. On a lighter note, a student may refuse to pick up her final grade from a difficult class because she knows it is not an acceptable grade. She simply denies the reality of the grade. Nov 6 10:06 PM 6

7 3. Regression Regression involves a movement back in developmental time to when a person felt safe and secure. This could explain why an older child will suddenly begin to wet the bed or suck his thumb again when the new baby brother or sister comes home. Or, why a college student, away from home for the first time, will want to bring her teddy bear with her. A person who has suffered a difficult divorce or death of a spouse may want to revisit the home of his/her childhood those tender years before pain overruled all other feelings. Nov 6 10:06 PM 4. Displacement Displacement means to reassign some kind of aggression to a scapegoat to relieve the tension of the situation on him or herself. If a man has had a grueling day at work, he may go home and alleviate his tension by kicking the dog, or shouting at his wife. The dog and the wife are safe substitutions for his release. Nov 6 10:07 PM 7

8 5. Sublimation Sublimation is the driving force behind human aggression. A successful football linebacker may have a huge amount of anger that becomes useful when he is playing the game. That same person could direct his energies into a trade such as being a butcher in a meat market. A person with a great need for order and security may become a businessperson or a scientist. Nov 6 10:08 PM Today's Objectives: 1. What is the psychoanalytic view? 2. What are the id, ego, and superego? 3. What are the defense mechanisms and when are they implemented in a person? 4. How can we use the defense mechanisms to better understand a character? Apr 4 9:27 AM 8

9 Mar 30 8:39 AM 9

PSYC Chapter 2: Introduction To Psychodynamic Theory Dr. Deborah Myles

PSYC Chapter 2: Introduction To Psychodynamic Theory Dr. Deborah Myles PSYC 2301 Chapter 2: Introduction To Psychodynamic Theory Dr. Deborah Myles What is Psychodynamic? An active mind A mental struggle Conscious and unconscious forces interact to control our behaviors Who