Psychology Flashcards on Complexes

Questions and Answers

What is a complex?

An un-amended idea, belief, perception, opinion, or understanding formed from family, imposed values, peers, and the collective; associated with strong emotions.

The Cinderella complex is based on the idea of femininity portrayed in ____________.

Cinderella

What is a Father complex?

A group of unconscious associations or strong impulses pertaining to the image or archetype of the father.

Define God complex.

An unshakable belief characterized by inflated feelings of personal ability, privilege, or infallibility. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Hero complex?

A phenomenon affecting people who seek heroism or recognition, often by creating desperate situations. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an Inferiority complex?

An unrealistic feeling of inadequacy caused by actual or supposed inferiority in one sphere. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a Superiority complex.

An attitude of superiority that hides actual feelings of inferiority and failure. Signup and view all the answers

The Martyr complex involves a desire for the feeling of being a ______ for one's own sake.

Martyr Signup and view all the answers

The Victim complex involves a desire for the feeling of being a ______ for one's own sake.

Victim Signup and view all the answers

What is the Mother complex?

A potentially active component of everyone's psyche, influenced by personal experience with the mother and contact with other women. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Madonna-***** complex refer to?

The inability to maintain sexual arousal within a committed relationship. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Complex Concepts

A complex is an unexamined idea, belief, or perception formed by family, societal values, and peers, serving as a pathway to the unconscious.
Emotional reactions exceeding practical realities indicate the presence of a complex, which is a mix of associations tied to feelings.
Overcoming a complex requires safe, long-term experiences through therapy, education, and supportive relationships.

Types of Complexes

Cinderella Complex
- Represents an unconscious wish to be cared for by others, often growing more pronounced with age.
- Based on feminine ideals where women are portrayed as needing rescue instead of taking action.
Father Complex
- Encompasses unconscious associations related to the paternal figure, involving both positive admiration and negative distrust.
God Complex
- Characterized by a persistent belief in one's own superiority, often leading to feelings of invulnerability.
Hero Complex
- Describes individuals who create crises to demonstrate heroism or seek recognition, potentially engaging in risky behavior.
Inferiority Complex
- Defines feelings of inadequacy due to perceived inferiorities, often leading to compensatory aggressive behavior.
Superiority Complex
- Reflects an outward attitude of superiority that masks underlying feelings of inferiority or failure.

Additional Complexes

Martyr Complex
- Involves a longing to feel victimized or persecuted to meet psychological needs or evade accountability.
Victim Complex
- Similar to the martyr complex, it includes a focus on feeling victimized as a means of avoiding responsibility.
Mother Complex
- A significant element within the psyche shaped by personal relationships with mothers and other influential women.
Madonna-*** Complex**
- Affects men's ability to maintain sexual attraction in loving relationships, desiring one partner as a degraded figure while rejecting another as a pure object.

Description

Explore key concepts related to psychological complexes with these flashcards. Each card provides essential definitions and insights into emotional reactions and associations. Perfect for anyone studying psychology or wanting to deepen their understanding of the unconscious mind.