Topographical Theory of Personality

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

What do projective techniques primarily aim to reveal?

  • Social behaviors in public settings
  • Conscious thoughts and beliefs
  • Cognitive biases in decision making
  • Unconscious thoughts and emotions (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a type of projective technique?

  • Rorschach test
  • Sentence completion test
  • Thematic Apperception test
  • Personality inventory assessment (correct)

How does the unconscious manifest itself in our reactions to ambiguous situations?

  • Through the misinterpretation of evident cues
  • By providing clear and defined responses
  • By filling in the blanks based on personal experiences (correct)
  • Through logical reasoning and analytical thought

What is the primary purpose of projective testing?

<p>To reveal subconscious drives and feelings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which projective technique do individuals interpret visual stimuli to express their underlying thoughts?

<p>Rorschach test (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of content identified in dreams?

<p>Manifest and Latent Content (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of dreams according to the content provided?

<p>To fulfill wishes and desires of the ID (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of dream is characterized by feeling very realistic?

<p>Lucid Dreams (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological mechanism involves condensing various thoughts into one object?

<p>Condensation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of dreams predict future events based on heightened intuition?

<p>Prophetic Dreams (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the displacement mechanism in dreams do?

<p>Conceals latent content (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of dream involves a comforting emotional experience?

<p>Healing Dreams (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes dreams where the dreamer believes they have woken up but are still dreaming?

<p>False Awakening Dreams (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of repression in psychology?

<p>To push undesirable thoughts into the unconscious (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best illustrates the concept of repression?

<p>A man who feels worthless adopts an overly confident demeanor (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method is NOT mentioned as a way to access repressed material?

<p>Hypnosis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can circumstances affect the repression of material?

<p>By exposing the individual to repressed content (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is described as a non-defensive stance for exploring the past?

<p>Introspection (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three mental systems in the topographical theory of personality?

<p>Conscious, Preconscious, Unconscious (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do dreams potentially indicate in relation to repressed material?

<p>They can reflect unresolved thoughts and memories (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which mental system of the mind is accessible through effort and can include recalling memories?

<p>Preconscious (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the unconscious part of the mind?

<p>It consists of thoughts we do not have access to. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does free association encourage in a therapeutic context?

<p>Spontaneous verbal expression without filtering (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which role do psychologists play regarding their own unconscious material?

<p>It can influence case appraisal and patient interaction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the experience of not being able to recall a certain word or name even though it feels right on the 'tip of your tongue'?

<p>Preconscious activation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does displacement in a dream represent?

<p>A shift of emotional tone to the manifest content (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the mind is aware of what it is currently thinking or perceiving?

<p>Conscious (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of dramatisation in dreams?

<p>To transform abstract thoughts into a story (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What situation typically leads to the repression of thoughts or memories?

<p>Feelings perceived as unpleasant or disturbing (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Freud’s theory relate to the structural model of personality?

<p>It incorporates the id, ego, and superego into the division of the mind. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In dream interpretation, what does symbolization accomplish?

<p>The conversion of latent content into symbols (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does secondary elaboration do in the context of dreaming?

<p>It enhances the coherence and meaningfulness of the dream (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about repression is true?

<p>Repression is a defense mechanism used to protect one's sense of security. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are resistances in the context of unconscious defenses?

<p>Reactions that oppose threats to unconscious defenses (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do parapraxes demonstrate in daily life?

<p>Unconscious thoughts or repressed feelings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is typically symbolized by a stick or a tree in dreams, according to common interpretations?

<p>Male genitalia (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how emotional tones in dreams are represented according to the described mechanisms?

<p>They are transformed into aggression towards unrelated objects (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Conscious mind

The part of the mind that is aware of itself and its current thoughts and perceptions.

Preconscious mind

The part of the mind that contains information that can be brought to our conscious awareness through effort.

Unconscious mind

The part of the mind that contains unconscious thoughts, urges, and memories that are either never conscious or were perceived as too unpleasant or unacceptable.

Id

The collection of instincts, urges, and desires that are mostly unconscious and seek immediate gratification.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Repression

The process of pushing unpleasant thoughts, feelings, or memories into the unconscious mind.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unconscious material becoming conscious

A state where thoughts, feelings, urges, or memories that are normally kept in the unconscious mind become conscious.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Topographical theory of the mind

A theory that the mind is composed of three interconnected systems: the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Contents of the unconscious mind

The unconscious part of the mind is like a reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that were either never conscious or perceived as too unpleasant and unacceptable. It contains the 'Id'.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Displacement

The unconscious mechanism by which a dream's emotional essence is shifted from the latent content to the manifest content.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dramatisation

The process of transforming abstract thoughts and wishes into a story-like narrative within a dream.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Symbolization

A dreamwork process where the latent content of a dream is converted into symbols.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Secondary Elaboration

The process of adding explanations and interpretations to a dream after waking up, attempting to make it more coherent and meaningful.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Resistances

Reactions, often negative, triggered when unconscious defenses are threatened by external sources.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Parapraxes

Small, seemingly unintentional actions or slip-ups that may reveal unconscious desires or thoughts.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Repression (Defense Mechanism)

A defense mechanism where the ego tries to protect itself from painful or threatening thoughts and experiences by burying them in the unconscious mind.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Emergence of Repressed Material

Repressed material can resurface under certain circumstances, such as when the ego's ability to repress weakens or when the individual no longer feels threatened by the repressed material.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Psychologists and the Unconscious

Psychologists must explore their own unconscious minds and past experiences to ensure their personal biases don't influence their work with clients.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Introspection

A method of accessing repressed material by exploring past experiences deeply and honestly, without defensiveness.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Free Association

A technique for accessing the unconscious mind by allowing free-flowing thoughts and ideas to come to mind without censorship.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dreams and Repression

Dreams can offer glimpses into the unconscious mind as they often reflect repressed thoughts and memories.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Resistance in Therapy

Resistance is a defense mechanism where the individual blocks or avoids confronting repressed material, often manifested as hesitation or reluctance during therapy sessions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Manifest Content

The visible, remembered content of a dream, often appearing confusing or nonsensical. It's what you consciously recall when you wake up.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Latent Content

The hidden, underlying meaning of a dream, often containing symbolic representations of repressed thoughts, desires, and emotions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Wish Fulfillment

A primary function of dreams, according to Freud, where unconscious wishes and desires, often unacceptable to the conscious mind, are fulfilled in a symbolic way within the dream.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Recurring Dreams

A type of dream that happens frequently, often mirroring a recurring concern or unresolved issue in the dreamer's life.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Lucid Dreams

Dreams that feel very realistic, often involving a sense of control or awareness within the dream, allowing the dreamer to interact with the dream environment.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Epic Dreams

Dreams that feature intense, emotional experiences, often with a feeling of overwhelming power or significance.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Condensation

A psychological mechanism in dreams where multiple ideas, feelings, or objects are condensed into a single representation within the dream.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Projection

Revealing our unconscious by how we interpret ambiguous situations or fill in missing information.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Projective Testing

Psychological tests that tap into the unconscious mind through indirect methods.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sentence Completion Test

A type of projective testing where individuals complete incomplete sentences, revealing their underlying beliefs and feelings.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Association Test

A projective technique where individuals are asked to associate an animal with themselves, revealing their self-perception and personality.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test using ambiguous images to elicit emotional responses and reveal unconscious thoughts and motivations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

The Topographical Theory of Personality

  • The mind is composed of three systems: conscious, preconscious, and unconscious
  • Conscious: The part of the mind aware of itself—what you are thinking/perceiving now
  • Preconscious: What we bring to our attention through effort—memories and knowledge
  • Unconscious: What the mind does not know or has experienced but is not aware of—difficult to access, possibly incomplete
  • This theory developed into Freud's structural model, which included id, ego, and superego

The Contents of the Unconscious

  • A reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories
  • These may have been unconscious, or perceived as too unpleasant and unacceptable
  • The ID is a part of the unconscious mind

What We Repress

  • Anything that threatens our sense of security
  • Parts of ourselves/experiences we find disturbing or unpleasant

What Is Repression?

  • The process of pushing experiences, feelings, and memories into the unconscious mind
  • Eliminating something from conscious awareness by burying it in the unconscious

Examples of Repression

  • A woman with a controlling mother might develop avoidance in relationships to guard against criticism. Hidden anger could be present.
  • A person who was abandoned as a child might develop a strong sense of self to mask deep feelings of worthlessness and abandonment.

Repressed Material Emerging

  • Repressed material can surface when the ego's ability to repress is weakened
  • Also, when the person no longer feels threatened by the repressed material

Repression and Psychologists

  • Psychologists should explore their own unconscious and past experiences
  • Growth psychotherapy and supervision are helpful

How to Access Repressed Material

  • Introspection: Deep exploration of past experiences
  • Free association: Uncensored talk—saying whatever comes to mind
  • Dreams: Dreams are not too threatening and can reveal repressed thoughts and memories
  • Resistance: How people react when unconscious defenses are threatened
  • Parapraxes: Minor "accidents" in daily life that reveal the unconscious (e.g., slips of the tongue, mistakes)
  • Projection: How people react to ambiguous situations revealing unconscious feelings

Projective Testing

  • A way for psychologists to access the unconscious mind
  • Techniques to reveal unconscious thoughts, emotions, and personality traits
  • Techniques include: sentence completion, association, Rorschach test, thematic apperception test (TAT)

Types of Dreams

  • Ordinary dreams: Not out of the ordinary
  • Anxiety dreams
  • Recurring dreams: Comforting or emotional healing
  • Healing dreams: Comforting or emotional healing
  • Prophetic dreams: Predict the future
  • Lucid dreams: Dreams very realistic; leave a strong impact
  • Epic dreams: Fantasies that occur while awake
  • Daydreams
  • False awakening dreams: The dreamer believes they have woken, but they are still dreaming
  • Nightmares: frightening dreams

5 Psychological Mechanisms in Dreams

  • Condensation: Combine all ideas, thoughts, or feelings into one object; for example, a snake in a dream could symbolize various things (i.e. death, afterlife)
  • Displacement: Disguise the true meaning, an unconscious mechanism shifting emotions to the manifest instead of latent content; for example, anger being directed at an irrelevant object
  • Dramatisation: Abstract wishes and thoughts into a story
  • Symbolisation: Latent content in a dream is converted into symbols. For example, male genitals are sometimes symbolised by sticks, trees, pens, or pointed objects.
  • Secondary Elaboration: Makes the dream coherent and meaningful

Resistance

  • The way a person reacts oppositionally when unconscious defenses are threatened; for example, getting angry when shortcomings are pointed out.
  • Can occur in therapy when clients resist owning a problem or get angry at the therapist for focusing on particular experience

The Parapraxes

  • Minor incidents in daily life revealing unconscious desires
  • Includes slips of the tongue, mistakes, forgetting things, humor, and false perceptions

Projection

  • Reacting to something ambiguous reveals the unconscious desires.
  • This is safe because the ego does not own it or accept responsibility for the feelings

Additional Information

  • Various sources include different works and articles providing deeper understanding of each point

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

The Topographical Theory of Personality PDF

More Like This

Topographical Map Knowledge
3 questions

Topographical Map Knowledge

BlissfulMesa avatar
BlissfulMesa
Understanding Topographical Sheets basics
10 questions

Understanding Topographical Sheets basics

EnjoyablePromethium avatar
EnjoyablePromethium
Reading and Interpreting Topographical Maps
10 questions

Reading and Interpreting Topographical Maps

CelebratedTheory avatar
CelebratedTheory
Freud's Topographical Theory of Personality
18 questions

Freud's Topographical Theory of Personality

GratifiedJasper5656 avatar
GratifiedJasper5656
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser