Download Anthropology – An Introduction

Psychology – Schools of Thought – Psychoanalytic Theory
Psychoanalytic Theory – Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalytic
theory was interested in the mind. Psychoanalysis is a way of looking at the
mind and basically how it works.
Conscious vs. Unconscious and Preconscious Mind
Conscious Mind – is the part of the mind that we ARE aware of. These are
the actions that we can comprehend and those we can think about in a
logical fashion at any given moment (eg: focusing on this overhead right
now is your conscious mind). However, the information in our conscious
mind is fleeting. To access things like memory we need to access the
preconscious mind.
Preconscious Mind – basically put this refers to memory. The
Preconscious Mind contains memories that are easily accessible and can
easily be brought into our consciousness.
Unconscious Mind – this is the part of the mind that we are unaware of.
Freud felt that this part of the mind was not directly accessible to awareness.
In a way the unconscious mind stores feelings and ideas that are tied to
anxiety, conflict and pain. These feelings and thoughts have not disappeared
and according to Freud, they are there, exerting influence on our actions and
our conscious awareness. The unconscious mind can be divided into the
work Id, Ego, and Superego.
THE ID – functions in the irrational and emotional part of the mind.
It is important in terms of personality development because, as
newborns, it allows us to get what we need. Freud believed that the id
is based on our pleasure principle. In other words, the id wants
whatever feels good at the time, with no consideration for the reality
of the situation. (eg: babies wanting food)
*If the Id is too strong one may be bound up in self-gratification and
be uncaring towards others*
THE EGO – develops during the second and third years of our lives.
It functions with the rational part of the mind. Freud refers to this as
the reality principle. The ego understands that other people have
needs and desires and that sometimes being impulsive or selfish can
hurt us in the long run. It’s the ego's job to meet the needs of the id,
while taking into consideration the reality of the situation.
*If the Ego is too strong one may be extremely rational and efficient,
but cold, boring and distant*
THE SUPEREGO – develops last (usually around 5 or 6 years).
This refers mainly to morality and the urge to do the right things. The
Superego develops due to the moral and ethical restraints placed on us
by our caregivers. Many equate the superego with the conscience as it
dictates our belief of right and wrong.
*If the Superego is too strong one may feel guilty because the
superego causes us to do the moral thing (not always what we feel to
be the best)
Unconscious Mind – con’t – Freud believed that experiences from our
childhood (with parents and family) are stored in our unconscious mind. We
are most likely unaware of these experiences but they have a deep impact on
how we behave.
Freud also believed that if the experiences in our unconscious mind were
negative (leaving individuals with a sense of frustration) then their
behaviour may become neurotic.
Neurotic – behaviour is characterized as abnormal and is often connected
with anxiety or obsessiveness. To the psychoanalyst abnormal behaviour
(eg: criminal behaviour) can be traced back to childhood.
Dream Analysis – psychoanalytic theorists believe that treating the
unconscious may alleviate neurosis. Through analysis of dreams Freud
believed that he could unlock the unconscious mind and rid an individual of
deep-seated frustrations.