3 Questions
What is the psychodynamic perspective on obsessive-compulsive disorder?
It is caused by a fear of one's own id impulses.
What is the purpose of ego defense mechanisms in obsessive-compulsive disorder?
To reduce anxiety.
What is an example of reaction formation?
Taking on a lifestyle that opposes unacceptable impulses.
Study Notes
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, most of which are aimed at reducing anxiety.
- The psychodynamic perspective believes that obsessive-compulsive disorder develops when children come to fear their own id impulses and use ego defense mechanisms to lessen the resulting anxiety.
- The three most common ego defense mechanisms in obsessive-compulsive disorder are isolation, undoing, and reaction formation.
- People who resort to isolation disown their unwanted thoughts and experience them as foreign intrusions. People who engage in undoing perform acts that are meant to cancel out their undesirable impulses. People who develop a reaction formation take on a lifestyle that directly opposes their unacceptable impulses.
Test your knowledge of obsessive-compulsive disorder and the psychodynamic perspective with this quiz. Explore the development of OCD and the common ego defense mechanisms associated with it.
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