Psychology Overview and Self-Concept

Psychology Overview

• Derived from Latin roots "psyche" meaning soul and "logos" meaning study; defined as the study of human behavior and mental processes.
• Modern Psychology emerged in 1879 with Wilhelm Wundt establishing the first experimental laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, marking it as a scientific discipline.
• Focuses on interactions between body and mind, considering both physical and mental aspects of human experience.

Wilhelm James and Self-Concept

• An American philosopher and psychologist recognized for his Theory of Self.
• Distinguishes between two aspects of self:
  • I: Subjective, active perceiver; responsible for organizing and interpreting experiences.
  • Me: Objective; the perceived part of self, subject to others' perceptions.

Four Elements of Self (Me)

• Material Self: Encompasses the physical attributes and possessions; includes body features and personal belongings.
• Social Self: Attributes ascribed by others; varies based on social interactions.
• Spiritual Self: Internal thoughts and values; subjective elements reflecting personality and conscience.
• Pure Ego: Connects past, present, and future self; acts like continuity of mind.

Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis

• Considered the Father of Psychoanalysis, posited that unconscious drives govern behavior.
• Defined personality structure with an emphasis on rationality:
  • ID: Impulsive, pleasure-driven; operates on the pleasure principle.
  • Superego: Moral aspect of personality; enforces ethical behavior.
  • Ego: Mediates between ID and Superego; operates on reality principle.

Psychosexual Development Stages

• Oral Stage (0-1 year): Focus on mouth; potential fixation leads to thumb sucking or drinking.
• Anal Stage (2-3 years): Focus on bowel control; conflicts with toilet training; fixation can lead to anal-retentive or anal-expulsive behaviors.
• Phallic Stage (3-5 years): Focus on genitals; leads to Oedipus and Electra complexes; fixation relates to dependency and gender identity confusion.
• Latent Stage (6-12 years): Dormant sexual feelings; development of defense mechanisms; immaturity is possible but less common.
• Genital Stage (13+ years): Onset of puberty; focuses on sexual desires and mature relationships.

Defense Mechanisms

• Developed to cope with conflicts arising from psychosexual development; serve as psychological strategies to protect individual from anxiety.

Erik Erikson and Psychosocial Development

• Focuses on the influence of family and culture across eight stages of development, emphasizing critical psychosocial crises.
• Stages include:
  • Infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust): Trust developed through parental care; fundamental to later relationships.
  • Early Childhood (Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt): Facilitates independence; autonomy encouraged through choices; inadequacy leads to shame.
  • Preschool (Initiative vs. Guilt): Ability to initiate activities and assert control; guilt emerges if initiative is suppressed.

This quiz covers the fundamentals of psychology, including its definition and origins. It also explores Wilhelm James's theory of self, highlighting the two aspects: I and Me, along with the elements that make up the self-concept.