Lecture Notes: Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality
Introduction to Psychoanalytic Theory
- The first theory of personality discussed is the psychoanalytic theory.
- Sigmund Freud is a key figure in this theory.
- Not originally a psychologist but a neurologist.
- Studied hypnosis in Paris in 1885, which pivoted his interest to psychopathology.
Core Concepts of Psychoanalytic Theory
- Unconscious Desires and Childhood Experiences
- These are the main influences on behavior.
- Unconscious Mind
- Includes memories, beliefs, urges, drives, and instincts not always in awareness.
Libido
- Described as a natural energy source that fuels mind mechanisms.
- Fixation of this energy at various psychosexual stages affects adult personality.
Stages of Psychosexual Development
- Fixation at a stage predicts adult personality.
- Example: Oral stage fixation may result in talkative behavior or smoking.
Mental Structures: The Iceberg Analogy
- Conscious: Above the surface; what we are aware of.
- Unconscious: Much larger, below the surface.
Components of the Mind
- Id
- Unconscious, present from birth, demands immediate gratification.
- Ego
- Operates in both conscious and unconscious realms.
- Involved in perception, thought, judgment; seeks long-term gratification.
- Superego
- Develops around age four.
- Acts as the moral compass or conscience.
Conflict and Anxiety
- Libidinal Impulses need gratification.
- Conflict arises when impulses are under/over/partially gratified.
- Conflict is between id, ego, and superego.
- Ego mediates between the desires of the id and moral oversight of the superego.
Freudian Slip
- Example of mental conflict, where unconscious desires surface in speech errors.
- Example given: "bills" instead of "pills" due to financial stress.
Conclusion
- The psychoanalytic theory explains personality development through conflicts and fixations during psychosexual stages.
- Issues in gratification at any stage can lead to personality issues.
These notes cover the main ideas and concepts introduced in the lecture on the psychoanalytic theory of personality by Sigmund Freud. The focus is on understanding the role of unconscious desires, the structure of the mind, and the implications of psychosexual development.