Psychoanalysis Revision Notes Ask Study Coach Questions and Answers
Study Coach is here to help students with revising, we suggest that you make a revision timetable and identify a revision strategy that suits your needs. The aim is to give yourself sufficient preparation time, so you don’t start cramming. If studying Psychology, you might want to Ask Study Coach for some key concepts associated with Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis theory. Freud (1936) theory is based on the assumption that we have a mind, and that the mind is divided into three parts: Consciousness; Pre-conscious; Unconscious (levels of consciousness).
The level of consciousness is otherwise known as the Topographical model. According to the theory, the unconscious is the largest part of the mind and is unavailable to everyday awareness. Its existence explains why people do not always understand the reasons for their behaviour and why some actions seem irrational or self-destructive. The concept of the Id operates at an unconscious level.
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Question: What is the Id, Ego, Superego?
Answer: The Id, Ego and Superego are parts of the mind. The Id is the mind we are born with and it is unconscious in adult life. It has a drive to satisfy its own needs regardless of external reality and it operates with primary process thinking. This means it relies on fantasy, imagery and wish fulfilment. The distinction between fantasy and reality is unclear, as is the difference between wishing for something and actually causing it to happen.
The Id is biological; it seeks gratification; it is known as the ‘pleasure seeking principle’; it is selfish; irrational; it drives the individual to search for pleasure; to satisfy its needs.
Ego is everyday consciousness and sense of personal identity. It develops when the infant begins to experience the outside world. The Ego is known as the ‘reality principle’; it is rational. If we are full of our own self-importance, it is said that we may be suffering from having too big an Ego. Consider Beyoncé’s song – he’s got a big Ego, such a big Ego. Beyoncé clearly shows some appreciation for Freud’s work.
The Superego involves ideals, conscience and sense of responsibility. It develops from a child’s experience of parental authority, especially at the time of the Oedipus complex (boys); Electra complex (girls). The superego is rational; it is responsible for the structure of morals.
According to Freud’s theory, at all costs we must protect our Ego. In order to protect our Ego, psychoanalysis provides us with a range of Defence Mechanisms.
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Question: What are Defence Mechanisms?
Answer: Defence Mechanisms protects the conscious self from stressful or embarrassing memories, desires and thoughts.
Four examples of defences are as follows:
Repression: an uncomfortable thought is not admitted into consciousness (a person may repress feelings about their sexuality).
Note: Repression is an extremely important defence mechanism; it is the major cause of psychological disorders
Denial: a person remains unaware of a real but painful fact (Chantelle cannot see that Roy dislikes her because she is sexually attracted to him).
Displacement: Redirecting repressed desires and impulses onto a relatively safe target (unleashing anger, by breaking plates)
Sublimation: Transforming aggressive and sexual desires into some socially acceptable expression (writing a poem).
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