Psychological Paradigms and Shifts

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the functions of the superego?

Encourages the id to act on desires

Reduces self-awareness

Drives the ego to act morally (correct)

Promotes instant gratification

How does very strong parenting affect the superego?

It has no influence on the personality

It always creates a strong id

It leads to a weak superego

It results in a strong superego (correct)

Which of the following statements about the ego is true?

It operates under the reality principle (correct)

It minimizes ethical considerations

It represents the pleasure principle

It enforces perfectionism

What can result from having a very weak superego?

Psychopathic personality traits Signup and view all the answers

According to Freud, what characterizes a healthy person?

They can love and work productively Signup and view all the answers

What primarily characterizes a paradigm in psychological terms?

A framework for interpreting reality. Signup and view all the answers

What signifies a paradigm shift in scientific terms?

The new paradigm offers better explanations for observations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the three primary paradigms of psychology discussed in this content?

Psychoanalysis, Behaviorism, Humanistic-Existential Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the founding father of psychoanalysis?

Sigmund Freud Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what does the psychodynamic paradigm focus on?

The resolution of conscious and unconscious feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes personality according to the content?

A complex pattern of long-lasting psychological characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT one of the five human domains identified in the content?

Social Signup and view all the answers

The three focal points of personality include all of the following EXCEPT?

Adaptability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the id?

Operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification Signup and view all the answers

What are the main instincts described in the theory?

Thanatos and Eros Signup and view all the answers

How does the ego primarily function in relation to the id?

It acts as a mediator, guiding the id towards socially acceptable behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a key role of the superego?

To enforce moral and ethical standards within the individual Signup and view all the answers

What describes the characteristics of primary process thinking?

Symbolic and illogical, seeking immediate satisfaction Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of cathexis?

The investment of emotional energy in desires or objects Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the ego is accurate?

It uses defense mechanisms to manage anxiety and guilt Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion reflects negative cathexis?

Fear of a looming threat Signup and view all the answers

What is one quality of instincts mentioned in the theory?

They involve a source, aim, object, and force Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior is characterized by the id's functioning?

Acting impulsively without considering consequences Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes a harsh superego?

Imposes guilt and a strong sense of duty to parental ideals Signup and view all the answers

In what way can instincts be channeled according to the theory?

Indirectly via socially acceptable means Signup and view all the answers

The concept of reality testing primarily pertains to which structure?

Ego Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Paradigm Definition

A paradigm is a set of ideas, a way of looking at something, or a framework for interpreting reality.
It's a generally accepted perspective within a particular discipline.
A paradigm is a widely recognized scientific achievement that models problems and solutions for practitioners.
Scientists adhere to the dominant paradigm until anomalies arise, leading to paradigm shifts.
Paradigms in psychology offer diverse approaches to understanding behaviour.

Paradigm Shift

A scientific revolution occurs when a new paradigm better explains observations and is closer to objective reality.
The new paradigm is often incommensurable with the old (cannot be directly compared).
Psychology doesn't have one accepted paradigm; rather, it has several competing schools.

Paradigms in Psychology

Psychoanalysis, behaviourism, and humanistic-existential are three key paradigms.

Psychoanalysis

Founded by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis emphasizes unconscious processes.
Deterministic Theory: Childhood experiences influence future behaviour.
Motivators: Instincts and drives motivate actions.
Treatment: Bringing unconscious thoughts to consciousness.
Waves:
First Wave: Drive psychology (Freud)
Second Wave: Ego psychology (A. Freud, Rapoport, Kernberg)
Third Wave: British schools (object relation theory, self psychology).

Personality

Personality is a complex, enduring pattern of psychological characteristics.
Largely unconscious and resistant to change.
Influences almost every aspect of behaviour.
Arises from biological factors and experiences.
Includes feeling, thinking, coping, and behaviour aspects.

Personality Focal Points

Structure
Dynamics
Development

Human Domains

Physical
Emotional
Cognitive
Ritual
Behavioural

Psychodynamic Paradigm

Focuses on resolving conscious and unconscious feelings.

Structural Theory

Id: Driven by instinct and the pleasure principle (immediate gratification). Present from birth. Unconscious. Animalistic and childish.
Ego: Guides the id through reality, employing reasoning and defence mechanisms to avoid superego conflict. Mediates between id and superego. Driven by the reality principle.
Superego: Represents moral and ethical values. Emerges between ages 4-7 through identification. Driven by a need for approval and pleasing authority figures.

Topographical Theory

Conscious: Aware thoughts.
Preconscious: Thoughts retrievable with effort.
Unconscious: Primitive instincts, repressed thoughts.

Drives

Life instinct (Eros): Procreation, survival, societal interactions.
Death instinct (Thanatos): Aggression, risk-taking, reliving trauma.
Instinctive qualities:
Source (origin)
Aim (tension reduction)
Object (target)
Force (strength of drive).

ID Satisfaction

Reflex action
Action without thought
Withdrawal reflex
Primary process (cathexis): investment of psychic energy into objects, fantasies.

Ego

Guides the id in socially acceptable ways.
Mediates id-superego conflict.
Applies defence mechanisms.
Uses reality testing.
Secondary process: drive → tension → cathexis → reality testing → eventual satisfaction.

Superego

Formed through identification (ages 4-7).
Internal policeman (prohibitions) and ego-ideal (parental standards).
Influences behaviour through guilt and punishment.

Healthy Ego

Essential for psychological health
Balances needs from id and superego pressures.
Allows for love, work, and connections outside oneself.

Strong vs Weak Superego

Strong Superego: Can lead to excessive control, inhibition, anxiety.
Weak Superego: May lead to psychopathic tendencies.

Parenting Influences on Personality

Strong parenting = strong superego; weak ego may struggle.
Undisciplined parenting = strong id; weak ego may struggle.

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Description

Explore the various paradigms in psychology, including psychoanalysis, behaviourism, and humanistic-existential approaches. This quiz delves into the concept of paradigms, scientific revolutions, and how shifts occur within psychological disciplines. Test your knowledge on the frameworks that shape our understanding of behavior.