Monday, April 7, 2008
Reflection: Blogging Experience
I find that this project has helped me a lot in learning the different concepts and theories put forward by some of the important psychologists. It has helped me because it has been a different learning experience compared to the normal classroom setting. The fact that we had reproduce what we learned in class and develop it will surely help me in remembering the different concepts during the final examination. Another aspect that I found helpful is that I was able to put in my own opinions and examples of my own life. This has made it easier for me to relate my experiences with theories and thus helping me to analyze myself and the reasons for my own behaviour and personality.
The fact that we had to do it in a blog form has allowed me to explore the possibilities of publishing work on the internet and have found it an interesting experience.
One challenge I faced during this project was to plan how to do everything, as a disorganized person I haven’t been able to plan how to split the project up and do it before the deadline. Thus next time we do a project I will attempt to plan everything ahead and do each part separately so that I don’t have to rush through everything a few days before the deadline.
Reflection: self-case study (psychological autobiography)
A case study is where one does an in-depth analysis of an individual.
In this self-case study I will talk about significant moments in my life.
May 12 1998 – My sister was born:
Till this date, as a child, I was used to getting all the attention from my entire family. I was the eldest daughter and grandchild. Thus I was always used to being the centre of attention wherever I was. When my sister was born I felt as though my life had turned upside down, I wasn’t the only little princess anymore. At times I remember feeling lonely, upset and slightly rejected. As the elder sister I was expected at all times to help my mother take care of my sister this made me feel awful, I desperately wanted to be the center of attention again. Although I loved my sister I wished that everything could be back to normal. At this point I started to withdraw my feelings. As my sister grew up she looked up to me and naturally wanted to become as ‘good’ as me and be able to do everything I was able to do. This naturally stirred a competitive feeling in my sister and pushed me to further withdrawal of my feelings. From the age of 8 onwards I was less attached to my parents and was determined to become independent because I felt as if I wasn’t really a part of this family anymore. However, I know that my parents tried to make sure that I didn’t feel this way by trying to give me more attention however it is quite natural to give my baby sister more because babies need more attention. As I withdrew from the family I became closer to my friends however sometimes I would feel alienated; neither was I exactly what my friends expected of me nor what my parents expected of me. The birth of my sister was very significant in my life because up to now I still observe times when I meet new people I am very quiet if I am with my family, I let my sister do all the talking. However, once I am freed from them I become as talkative as my sister.
July 5 2007 – Left my home Holland:
Although I had very good friends I always felt as though they expected something from me. There were a few friends who seemed to have given me conditional positive regard; however about a month before leaving Holland I found a group of friends (which included my best friend) whom when I was with I was able to be and act as myself and not someone else.
Leaving Holland was very significant because I felt that I left what I had been looking for all my life and I was leaving everything I knew to come to India, a country I know next to nothing about.
July 17 2007 – Entered my new school:
This was a very significant point in my life because I was suddenly thrown into a new environment, with new and different people who came from different backgrounds and views. I find that this sudden exposure to such an environment caused me to once again at times withdraw from the people around me. I’ve realised that at times I become very quiet however sometimes I feel that I can’t be myself. Perhaps due to expectations from others about how I should be. However the point is that the experience of entering a new place once again made me withdraw from the people around as I feel so different from the people.
December 4 2007 to 30th December 2007 – TTC:
The last and one of the most significant period of my life was when I took the Teacher Training Course in Yoga in Madurai, this gave me more knowledge about India and the culture. The Yoga course gave me an insight to the Yogic views on life and death, and I find that it has really changed my perception on life. For example, I learned about Karma which says that any of your actions will bring an opposite and equal action to you, whether it is in your present life or the next. It’s something like ‘what goes around comes around’. Learning about this has made me more relaxed and confident about what happens to me because I now believe it is because all is due to my own Karma. There are many more examples of how this course has transformed me; however the main point is that it has been one of the most significant events in my life because it has exposed to me to very different views on life than what I believed before.
Thus these are significant periods of my life which have moulded me into the present person I am.
In this self-case study I will talk about significant moments in my life.
May 12 1998 – My sister was born:
Till this date, as a child, I was used to getting all the attention from my entire family. I was the eldest daughter and grandchild. Thus I was always used to being the centre of attention wherever I was. When my sister was born I felt as though my life had turned upside down, I wasn’t the only little princess anymore. At times I remember feeling lonely, upset and slightly rejected. As the elder sister I was expected at all times to help my mother take care of my sister this made me feel awful, I desperately wanted to be the center of attention again. Although I loved my sister I wished that everything could be back to normal. At this point I started to withdraw my feelings. As my sister grew up she looked up to me and naturally wanted to become as ‘good’ as me and be able to do everything I was able to do. This naturally stirred a competitive feeling in my sister and pushed me to further withdrawal of my feelings. From the age of 8 onwards I was less attached to my parents and was determined to become independent because I felt as if I wasn’t really a part of this family anymore. However, I know that my parents tried to make sure that I didn’t feel this way by trying to give me more attention however it is quite natural to give my baby sister more because babies need more attention. As I withdrew from the family I became closer to my friends however sometimes I would feel alienated; neither was I exactly what my friends expected of me nor what my parents expected of me. The birth of my sister was very significant in my life because up to now I still observe times when I meet new people I am very quiet if I am with my family, I let my sister do all the talking. However, once I am freed from them I become as talkative as my sister.
July 5 2007 – Left my home Holland:
Although I had very good friends I always felt as though they expected something from me. There were a few friends who seemed to have given me conditional positive regard; however about a month before leaving Holland I found a group of friends (which included my best friend) whom when I was with I was able to be and act as myself and not someone else.
Leaving Holland was very significant because I felt that I left what I had been looking for all my life and I was leaving everything I knew to come to India, a country I know next to nothing about.
July 17 2007 – Entered my new school:
This was a very significant point in my life because I was suddenly thrown into a new environment, with new and different people who came from different backgrounds and views. I find that this sudden exposure to such an environment caused me to once again at times withdraw from the people around me. I’ve realised that at times I become very quiet however sometimes I feel that I can’t be myself. Perhaps due to expectations from others about how I should be. However the point is that the experience of entering a new place once again made me withdraw from the people around as I feel so different from the people.
December 4 2007 to 30th December 2007 – TTC:
The last and one of the most significant period of my life was when I took the Teacher Training Course in Yoga in Madurai, this gave me more knowledge about India and the culture. The Yoga course gave me an insight to the Yogic views on life and death, and I find that it has really changed my perception on life. For example, I learned about Karma which says that any of your actions will bring an opposite and equal action to you, whether it is in your present life or the next. It’s something like ‘what goes around comes around’. Learning about this has made me more relaxed and confident about what happens to me because I now believe it is because all is due to my own Karma. There are many more examples of how this course has transformed me; however the main point is that it has been one of the most significant events in my life because it has exposed to me to very different views on life than what I believed before.
Thus these are significant periods of my life which have moulded me into the present person I am.
Reflection: Phenomenological Perspectives
I am able to relate a lot to the phenomenological perspectives on personality especially the view of the humanistic perspective.
I truly feel that everyone has free will; however it is a question of using the free will. For example, I want to go back to my old school in Holland and I have the free will to do so, I can earn money and go to Holland. However I don’t find it very realistic as I would have to earn a lot of money etc. however I do have the free will to do so if I want to.
I also think that humans are intrinsically good, if provided with basic necessities I am sure that people would be good however external factors such as wealth cause people to sometimes commit crimes.
Phenomenological Perspectives on Personality
Phenomenology - “the subjective experience of individuals”.
In the phenomenological perspective there are three key concepts:
1. Phenomenology
2. Existentialism
3. Humanistic.
Historically, the perspective was founded by Wilhelm Wundt. He made people "introspect" – concentrating on and reporting on various subjective conscious experiences. However, it was viewed as lacking in scientific rigor and not having particular applications. However in the 50's and 60's there was a sense of political and personal freedom, thus there was more interest given to subjective experiences. From here Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers created the humanistic movement in psychology.
The phenomenological perspective branches into several parts and therefore no single theory or person exists to unite the three concepts. However, they are all categorized under this one perspective as they value and focus most importantly on the nature of an individual's subjective experience.
The phenomenological perspective (especially humanistic perspective) views man as being intrinsically good and self-perfecting. Human-kind is seen as being drawn towards growth, health, self-sufficiency, maturity and natural evolution towards greater beauty and more completeness. The perspective is very optimistic and focus’ on people’s potential.
In the phenomenological perspective there are three key concepts:
1. Phenomenology
2. Existentialism
3. Humanistic.
Historically, the perspective was founded by Wilhelm Wundt. He made people "introspect" – concentrating on and reporting on various subjective conscious experiences. However, it was viewed as lacking in scientific rigor and not having particular applications. However in the 50's and 60's there was a sense of political and personal freedom, thus there was more interest given to subjective experiences. From here Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers created the humanistic movement in psychology.
The phenomenological perspective branches into several parts and therefore no single theory or person exists to unite the three concepts. However, they are all categorized under this one perspective as they value and focus most importantly on the nature of an individual's subjective experience.
The phenomenological perspective (especially humanistic perspective) views man as being intrinsically good and self-perfecting. Human-kind is seen as being drawn towards growth, health, self-sufficiency, maturity and natural evolution towards greater beauty and more completeness. The perspective is very optimistic and focus’ on people’s potential.
The major themes and assumptions are:- The self is beautiful
- The everyone’s self is unique
- The self is forever changing and growing
- When provided with a nurturing external and internal environment, the self is able to grow towards the higher self naturally.
- The self has enormous potential
- Each individual is unique and views the world from their own unique perspective which relies a lot on their subjective experiences of reality.
- Free will must be used. Although people may think they don’t have the capacity to drive their life or believe that their past is so regretful that they can’t see the future. Thus when people lose sight of their free will and don’t see their own potential for change and growth is when people cannot reach their fullest potential.
Source:
Neill, James. "Introduction to Phenomenological Perspectives on Personality." Wilderdom. 14 Oct 2003. <http://wilderdom.com/personality/L10-0PhenomenologicalPerspectivesPersonality.html>.
Images:
Reflection: Roger's Positive Regard
Up until the age of 8, I was used to getting spoilt and got unconditional love from both my parents. However, around the age of 10 when I had to start actually growing up and was able to understand what my parents expected of me. Thus I began to experience conditional positive regard. If I did something good I would get appraisal however if I disappointed my parents, they would give me conditional positive regard. This was also because I had to be a good example to my younger sister. For example, if I didn’t keep my room clean I would get scolded.
Although I received conditional positive regard while growing up, now I only get unconditional positive regard from my parents. This is because they know that I usually try my best and that requires appraisal. On the other hand I still see them giving my sister conditional positive regard as she is only 8 and they want her to achieve more than or equal to what I was able to achieve at her age whether it is grades or in extra-curricular activities.
Although I received conditional positive regard while growing up, now I only get unconditional positive regard from my parents. This is because they know that I usually try my best and that requires appraisal. On the other hand I still see them giving my sister conditional positive regard as she is only 8 and they want her to achieve more than or equal to what I was able to achieve at her age whether it is grades or in extra-curricular activities.
Roger's Conditional and Unconditional Positive Regard
Roger’s sees the need for positive regard such as approval and love is universal, ideally one (both adult and child) should receive positive regard on a frequent basis. As infants grow they need positive regard: acceptance, love and approval from others. If a child doesn’t receive positive regard they may fail to develop self-actualization as the feeling of belongingness is in the third step towards it. There are two types of positive regard:o Unconditional Positive Regard – acceptance and caring given to a person as a human being, without imposing conditions on how the person behaves.
This is required in order to accept all aspects of ones own personality and it provides us with the guarantee that we are loved for being our real self and thus the
o Conditional Positive Regard – acceptance and caring given to a person only for meeting certain standards of behavior.
Rogers argues that most people grow up in atmospheres where we are provided with love, care and support in return for behaving the expected way. For example, when a child doesn’t do what her parents wanted her to do, the parents will probably withhold their love from her. As a result the child will abandon their true desires for those of their parents, in order to be accepted. This makes the child become alienated from her true self and tries to become her ideal self by doing what her parents expect of her.
Sources:
http://courses.wcupa.edu/ttreadwe/courses/02courses/theorist/rogers.ppt
Images:
Reflection: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Personally I feel that my basic life needs have been fulfilled, I live in a warm home and am able to sleep, eat and drink whenever I want to. My safety needs have also been fulfilled as I feel safe in my current home and school environment. I also get sufficient affection and care from my parents and significant others. However my esteem needs are not completely fulfilled as I don’t find that I have self-esteem. Therefore I am unable to reach the top of the pyramid to self-actualisation.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Self-actualization is the term given to the most advance human need, it is the based on the desire to grow as an individual and use ones potential/capacities to their fullest and is process-oriented. One must be fulfilled with each level of the hierarchy in order to reach the next and to reach the top of the pyramid – self-actualization. People who have reached this stage are able to enhance their relationships with others and concern themselves with issues affecting all people, not only themselves.
Maslow believes that self-actualization is a human need however we are distracted from it due to us focusing excessively on the lower levels of the hierarchy. Most people are controlled by their deficiencies in the lower levels of the hierarchy as they preoccupied with the materialistic aspect of life. Maslow believes that these kinds of people lead a meaningless life and are always jealous of others who have the missing aspect of their materialistic desires. However those people who are growth orientated don’t focus on that which is missing and draw satisfaction from what they possess. This allows the people to feel ecstasy just because they are alive, knowing that they are able to utilize their fullest potential. Once the person has reached self-actualization they become interested in helping humanity to reach the point the have themselves reached.
Maslow believes that self-actualization is a human need however we are distracted from it due to us focusing excessively on the lower levels of the hierarchy. Most people are controlled by their deficiencies in the lower levels of the hierarchy as they preoccupied with the materialistic aspect of life. Maslow believes that these kinds of people lead a meaningless life and are always jealous of others who have the missing aspect of their materialistic desires. However those people who are growth orientated don’t focus on that which is missing and draw satisfaction from what they possess. This allows the people to feel ecstasy just because they are alive, knowing that they are able to utilize their fullest potential. Once the person has reached self-actualization they become interested in helping humanity to reach the point the have themselves reached.Sources:
"Carl Rogers' Self Theory " Free Revision Notes. Personality Theories. 07 April 2008
<http://www.revision-notes.co.uk/revision/69.html>.
<http://www.revision-notes.co.uk/revision/69.html>.
Images:
Reflection: Horney’s basic evils
As a child I experienced:
- Ridicule from my friends when I braided my hair
- Indifference towards me when my sister was born
- Humiliation in front of my parents friends or my friends when I did or said something wrong
As I experienced some of the basic evils, it could have been the reason for my hostile behavior to my family at times, as a child I felt rejected and therefore now I compensate for that by being hostile and sometimes aggressive towards my parents and sister.
Horney's Basic Evils
Horney believed that the motivation of a lot of our behavior is unconscious and irrational, however unlike Freud she believed that unconscious conflict is between hostility toward parents who don’t love the person and anxious helplessness.
Basic Evils – lack of caring, warm and affection environment in ones childhood including parental indifference.
Examples of portraying basic evils to children:
Ridicule
Indifference toward the child
Humiliation
Unkept promises
Isolation of the child from others
Due to these basic anxieties/evils children become hostile, aggressive, develop fear of helplessness or withdraw themselves (introverts).
Sources: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/horney.html
Reflection: Adler's Complexes
Sometimes when I am amongst people who are very talkative like my sister I tend to feel inferior to others, this is probably due to being socially disapproved as a child. However, I find that this is an imagined inferiority rather than an actual one because I don’t have any physical, mental defects or social limitations. And I know that my parents have always encouraged me rather than disapproved of me. Therefore I think that the reason I may sometimes feel inferior to others is due to experiences of social disapproval as a young child.
Adler’s Complexes
Inferiority – the notion that all children experience a sense of helplessness because of their size and dependence on others; this feeling can also be intensified by real or imagined physical defects, social rejection and other factors.
Complex – process of engaging in activities
Inferiority complex – intense feeling of insecurity based on failure to resolve the feelings evoked by childhood experiences of helplessness
Superiority complex – response to feelings of inferiority in which the individual attempts to mask their weakness by adopting an attitude of exaggerated self-importance.
The Superiority Complex
- Refers to a subconscious mechanism of compensation developed by an individual due to feelings of inferiority.
- Usually due to social rejection, an individual's inattentiveness to hygiene, appearance or lower intelligence compared to peers.
- Some individuals who have grown up in backgrounds wheree they have to fulfill high expectations and being successful in doing so may develop a feeling of superioriy towards others. - Individuals who show their superiority complex usually project their own feeligns of inferiority onto others so as to being able to perceive them as beneath themselves. For example, the view others as "ugly" or "stupid" and beneath themselves.
Superiority can also be caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The Inferiority Complex
- Feeling inferior to others.
- Arises from an imagined/actual inferiority in the person.
- Often subconscious
- Is thought to make individuals to overcompensate, therefore resulting in: spectacular achievement or extreme antisocial behavior.
- Advanced state of discouragement.
Due to:
- Parental attitudes – disapproval and evaluations of the child emphasizing mistakes
- Physical defects - facial features, speech defects and defective vision.
- Mental limitations - unfavorable comparisons are made with the superior achievers.
- Social disadvantages - family, race, sex or economic status
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superiority_complex http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferiority_complex
Images:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/DrAlfredAdler.jpg/431px-DrAlfredAdler.jpg
Reflection: Erickson's Psychosocial Stages of Development
Stage: Trust vs. Mistrust
During this stage I find that my parents provided me with a nurturing and caring environment as I was the first child they may have been very careful with me especially because my mum was very young when I was born. I find that their treatment has allowed me to develop basic trust, perhaps too much trust in everyone. One characteristic that has truly developed from this is the sense of hope that I have, no matter how hard a task may be I always have the hope that everything will be alright in the end.
Stage: Autonomy vs. Shame
As a child I think I was protected a lot and therefore was unable to try and become independent, although my parents guided me I find that I was unable to build a sense of self-esteem and self-control as I was always under the control of my parents. Thus I was able to develop a sense of shame which was in slight excess, which still affects me by making me less able to be independent although I try hard to become so.
Stage: Initiative vs. Guilt
From what I have found out from my parents, they tell me that I was closer to my father and that I liked him better, this may have been due to my dad’s understanding and supportiveness of my effort to show initiative. However, I find that I was able to develop guilt as my dad would show other alternatives. Therefore I find that I have a healthy balance of the two.
Stage: Industry vs. Inferiority
As a child I was always encouraged to study and my teacher’s always supported and guided me at school. However, I think that I experienced too much competency as I became more mature than my peers.
Stage: Identity vs. Role Confusion
At this stage I have developed my identity and have gone through the identity crisis from which I have successfully resolved. This has allowed me to become friends with people of various backgrounds, values and experiences.
During this stage I find that my parents provided me with a nurturing and caring environment as I was the first child they may have been very careful with me especially because my mum was very young when I was born. I find that their treatment has allowed me to develop basic trust, perhaps too much trust in everyone. One characteristic that has truly developed from this is the sense of hope that I have, no matter how hard a task may be I always have the hope that everything will be alright in the end.
Stage: Autonomy vs. Shame
As a child I think I was protected a lot and therefore was unable to try and become independent, although my parents guided me I find that I was unable to build a sense of self-esteem and self-control as I was always under the control of my parents. Thus I was able to develop a sense of shame which was in slight excess, which still affects me by making me less able to be independent although I try hard to become so.
Stage: Initiative vs. Guilt
From what I have found out from my parents, they tell me that I was closer to my father and that I liked him better, this may have been due to my dad’s understanding and supportiveness of my effort to show initiative. However, I find that I was able to develop guilt as my dad would show other alternatives. Therefore I find that I have a healthy balance of the two.
Stage: Industry vs. Inferiority
As a child I was always encouraged to study and my teacher’s always supported and guided me at school. However, I think that I experienced too much competency as I became more mature than my peers.
Stage: Identity vs. Role Confusion
At this stage I have developed my identity and have gone through the identity crisis from which I have successfully resolved. This has allowed me to become friends with people of various backgrounds, values and experiences.
Erickon's Psychosocial Stages of Development (Till adolescence)
Stage: Trust vs. MistrustAge: 0 – 11/2
Development: Child develops basic trust in other and self when parents provide consistent, adequate, and nurturing care, allowing the child to realize that it can depend on others and that the world can be a safe place. Thus the child develops hope and confidence.
If the nurturing and caring environment is not provided, the child develops basic mistrust which can result in: depression, withdrawal and perhaps paranoia.
Stage: Autonomy vs. Shame
Age: 11/2 - 3
Development: Child develops autonomy if parents guide the child gradually, praising and accepting its attempts to be independent. Resulting in the sense of will which helps the child to accomplish and build self-esteem as well as learning self-control as the child grows up.
Child can experience extreme shame and doubt if parents are too harsh or demanding, which may result in the child feeling defeated. Thus while growing up they try to regain control and power. This could produce obsessive behaviour: e.g. if the child follows all rules exactly it will never be ashamed again.
However, if the child is given neither limits nor guidance, the child may fail to gain the sense of shame. Some shame is good as it will aid is in questioning the outcome of our actions. However, it could also result in Avoidance – never allowing yourself to be close to others in order to ensure that you will never feel ashamed.
Stage: Initiative vs. Guilt
Age: 3-5
Development: During this stage the child becomes curious about people and models its parents. The child also attempts to possess the opposite sex parent and experiences rivalry towards the parent of the same sex (corresponding to Freud’s Oedipal Complex) however this only develops in very severe cases.
When the parents are understanding and supportive of the child’s effort to show
Initiative to develop a purpose and sets milestones to reach a goal.
However, if the parents punish, inhibit and degrade the child for its attempts to show initiative the child is more likely to develop a sense of guilt. If in excess it can lead to inhibition.
On the other hand, too much purpose and no guilt may lead to the child being ruthless; they may achieve the goal without caring who they step on while doing so. The child may become constricted or antisocial
Stage: Industry vs. Inferiority
Age: 5 – 12 (puberty)
Development: At this point the child becomes absorbed in activities such as school and is required to tame imagination, impulses, and please others. If the significant adult’s support the child’s effort’s the child develops a sense of competence develops
If the child is not supported, feelings such as inferiority are likely to develop. Excess sense of inferiority or helplessness may occur, which results in the child becoming an “underachievers”.
However, too much competency may lead to the child becoming an adult too fast, resulting in the development of a Shallow person
Stage: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Age: 12 – 20 (adolescence)
Development: At this point the young adult tries to develop his/her identity and ‘ideas of strengths, weaknesses, goals, occupations, sexual identity, and gender roles’. They go through an identity crisis and friends are used to provide reflection.
If the identity crisis is resolved, fidelity – ‘the ability to sustain loyalties freely pledged in spite of the inevitable contradictions of value systems’ is developed, this allows them to be friends with very different people.
If the crisis isn’t resolved, identity diffusion – ‘sense of self is unstable and threatened’ is developed. This may lead them to cults or hate groups and too much identity may lead them to show fanaticism
Bibliography:
Niolon, Richard. "Erickon's Psychosocial Stages of Development." Psychpage. Resources for students and teachers. 7 Apr 2008
http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/person/erikson.html.
Glassman, William E., and Marilyn Hadad. Approaches to Psychology. 4th ed. New York: Open Univesity Press, 2004.
Image
http://www.phillwebb.net/History/TwentiethCentury/Continental/Psychoanalysis/Erikson/Erikson4.jpg
Reflection: Defense Mechanism
Repression: I don’t know what I may have repressed as a child into my unconscious as it must be still repressed there.
Identification: Until the age of 7, I was the only child in my family. This meant that I would always get all the attention whether it was good or bad. Both my parents had power and control over me, whereas I had no power over anyone. I think that this may have caused me to always identify myself with TV shows like Power Rangers. The pink ranger had cool powers and could beat up the bad guys. I wanted to have power and thus identified with the pink ranger.
Displacement: As the elder child in my family, I usually get more responsibility and I am meant to always do the ‘right’ thing. Naturally, I am imperfect and my parents do sometimes scold me for doing something wrong or setting a bad example for my sister. In this case the right thing to do would be to just take it in and then let go, however, I tend to always storm off into my room and when my sister comes in I always shout at her for nothing. I find that this is a result of displacement of my anger towards my parents.
Projection: Once when I had a bike accident with another car, I projected my fault onto the driver of the car and made myself believe that it was actually his fault and not mine.
Although I have examples of using defense mechanisms, I don’t think that I use them much in excess as I usually have my Id in control and at times my Superego doesn’t play a large role in decision making for me.
Identification: Until the age of 7, I was the only child in my family. This meant that I would always get all the attention whether it was good or bad. Both my parents had power and control over me, whereas I had no power over anyone. I think that this may have caused me to always identify myself with TV shows like Power Rangers. The pink ranger had cool powers and could beat up the bad guys. I wanted to have power and thus identified with the pink ranger.
Displacement: As the elder child in my family, I usually get more responsibility and I am meant to always do the ‘right’ thing. Naturally, I am imperfect and my parents do sometimes scold me for doing something wrong or setting a bad example for my sister. In this case the right thing to do would be to just take it in and then let go, however, I tend to always storm off into my room and when my sister comes in I always shout at her for nothing. I find that this is a result of displacement of my anger towards my parents.
Projection: Once when I had a bike accident with another car, I projected my fault onto the driver of the car and made myself believe that it was actually his fault and not mine.
Although I have examples of using defense mechanisms, I don’t think that I use them much in excess as I usually have my Id in control and at times my Superego doesn’t play a large role in decision making for me.
Freud’s Defense Mechanisms
Freud defined defense mechanism as a technique that the ego uses to protect itself from anxiety and threats which give rise 
to anxiety. Anxiety is a negative emotional state which arises due to conflict between the id and superego.
Repression: one blocks threatening thoughts and memories which are then repressed down into the unconscious. Freudians view depression as a result of excessive repression.
Identification: when one incorporates characteristics of a drive object into one’s own ego.
Displacement: when one displaces redirects drive energy from one object to a substitute object.
Rationalization: one makes an excuse for behavior and thoughts which are either threatening or unacceptable.
Projection: one tries to protect themselves from threat by projecting their own traits to other people.
Exaggerated use of defense mechanisms results in Neuroses (anxiety driven patterns of abnormal behavior from over control of instincts)
Sources:
Glassman, William E., and Marilyn Hadad. Approaches to Psychology. 4th ed. New York: Open Univesity Press, 2004.
Dalal, Neeraj. "Personality Theories: Chapter 2." IB Psychology. Mac. 7 Apr 2008>.
to anxiety. Anxiety is a negative emotional state which arises due to conflict between the id and superego.
Repression: one blocks threatening thoughts and memories which are then repressed down into the unconscious. Freudians view depression as a result of excessive repression.
Identification: when one incorporates characteristics of a drive object into one’s own ego.
Displacement: when one displaces redirects drive energy from one object to a substitute object.
Rationalization: one makes an excuse for behavior and thoughts which are either threatening or unacceptable.
Projection: one tries to protect themselves from threat by projecting their own traits to other people.
Exaggerated use of defense mechanisms results in Neuroses (anxiety driven patterns of abnormal behavior from over control of instincts)
Sources:
Glassman, William E., and Marilyn Hadad. Approaches to Psychology. 4th ed. New York: Open Univesity Press, 2004.
Dalal, Neeraj. "Personality Theories: Chapter 2." IB Psychology. Mac. 7 Apr 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Reflection: Freud’s Pscyhosexual Stages
Oral stage – I find that I posses an oral receptive personality as presently I love food, and eat more than most of my peers. I also find that I am very gullible but like to receive knowledge. This is probably due to the lack of oral satisfaction I may have received as a child.
Anal stage – I find that I am the person who has had a lack of potty training, as a fact I know that my parents couldn’t afford to buy me diapers and therefore I would go to the toilet all over my house whenever I needed to. Thus as I had a lack of toilet-training may have resulted in my present character as I am very disorganized, stubborn and occasionally have emotional outbursts.
Phallic stage – I don’t believe that I have been fixated at this stage because I am easily able to relate and talk to my mother. Besides I doubt I displayed ‘penis envy’ as I probably didn’t even know what a penis was.
Latency stage – I find that during this age I had no feelings of desire for others.
Genital stage – during this period I naturally felt affection towards others, especially due to peer pressure/encouragement/gossip about boys. I think at this stage talking about the opposite was very popular in the environment I lived in.
Anal stage – I find that I am the person who has had a lack of potty training, as a fact I know that my parents couldn’t afford to buy me diapers and therefore I would go to the toilet all over my house whenever I needed to. Thus as I had a lack of toilet-training may have resulted in my present character as I am very disorganized, stubborn and occasionally have emotional outbursts.
Phallic stage – I don’t believe that I have been fixated at this stage because I am easily able to relate and talk to my mother. Besides I doubt I displayed ‘penis envy’ as I probably didn’t even know what a penis was.
Latency stage – I find that during this age I had no feelings of desire for others.
Genital stage – during this period I naturally felt affection towards others, especially due to peer pressure/encouragement/gossip about boys. I think at this stage talking about the opposite was very popular in the environment I lived in.
Freud's Psychosexual Stages
The five stages of personality that Freud came up with are called the psychosexual stages. Four stages are associated with different sensitive parts of the body which become the center of attention as a baby grows up. They are called psychosexual because the word sexual is defined by Freud as the following: any pleasurable feeling associated with the stimulation of these sensitive zones. And these stages affect the person later on in life. As we go through each of the stages, one may become fixated upon a certain stage due to either: unsatisfied frustration or over-satisfaction. Freud said that every decision one makes is a result of the influence of the unconscious which is influence by the five stages.
The 5 Stages:
1) Oral Stage
Time of establishment: Birth – 1 year.
Center of attention: Satisfaction of the mouth (including tongue and lips).
Common example: Thumb sucking, some babies put everything they see into their mouth.
The 2 general personality features affected by experiences during the oral stage:
a) Oral Receptive: derived from the pleasure of received and digest food. This type of person makes relationships which are dependent on others. They are gullible and are interested in getting information, knowledge and material goods.
b) Oral Aggressive: derived from the pleasure of eating but more chewing and biting, they have more emphasis on the use of teeth. They are said to be sarcastic and argue a lot, they tend to be more protective by holding firmly to other people. They are also aggressive in relationships.
2) Anal Stage
Time of establishment: 2 – 3 years.
Center of attention: Anus.
Common example: Gratification when relieving tension in the toilet and stimulating the anus. Toilet-training.
The 2 general personality features affected by experiences during the oral stage:
a) Lack of potty training: Person tends to be disorganized, messy, stubborn, and aggressive. They are more prone to having emotional outbursts and temper tantrums.
b) Over - potty training: more organized, orderly and always ‘save’ for the future.
3) Phallic Stage
Time of establishment: 4 – 5 years.
Example: Satisfaction through masturbation.
This is the last infantile stage and results in the psychological and sex-role differences. It also affects the development of the superego.
Differences between boys and girls:
Boys:
Develop possessive love for mothers and are jealous of the fathers.
Oedipus complex develops in the boy has strong desire for his mom and hates his father
Experience Castration Anxiety - fear of losing their “boy parts”. Which are at this point the vital organ of pleasure
Girls:
Develop love for their dads
Electra complex in the girl has strong love for her dad and hates her mom.
Display Penis-Envy in girls want to obtain their own penis.
If a male is fixated: - he may devote his life for sexual gratification which he had missed as a child
- He may get attracted to other men.
If a female is fixated: - she may have more difficulty to identify with her mother. As they blame her for not getting a penis.
4) Latency Stage
Time of establishment: 6 – 12 years.
During this stage there is an absence of any certain sensitive area which influences a child.
5) Genital Stage
Time of establishment: puberty +
This phase is when the person feels sexual love, lust and affection towards others.
General Fixations
Fixated Stage Possible Outcomes
Oral Oral Personality or Bipolar Disorder
Anal Anal Retentive Personality, Anal Expulsive Personality, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Phallic Phobia Disorder
Latency No Fixation
Genital Healthy Adult
Sources: Websites:
The 5 Stages:
1) Oral Stage
Time of establishment: Birth – 1 year.
Center of attention: Satisfaction of the mouth (including tongue and lips).
Common example: Thumb sucking, some babies put everything they see into their mouth.
The 2 general personality features affected by experiences during the oral stage:
a) Oral Receptive: derived from the pleasure of received and digest food. This type of person makes relationships which are dependent on others. They are gullible and are interested in getting information, knowledge and material goods.
b) Oral Aggressive: derived from the pleasure of eating but more chewing and biting, they have more emphasis on the use of teeth. They are said to be sarcastic and argue a lot, they tend to be more protective by holding firmly to other people. They are also aggressive in relationships.
2) Anal Stage
Time of establishment: 2 – 3 years.
Center of attention: Anus.
Common example: Gratification when relieving tension in the toilet and stimulating the anus. Toilet-training.
The 2 general personality features affected by experiences during the oral stage:
a) Lack of potty training: Person tends to be disorganized, messy, stubborn, and aggressive. They are more prone to having emotional outbursts and temper tantrums.
b) Over - potty training: more organized, orderly and always ‘save’ for the future.
3) Phallic Stage
Time of establishment: 4 – 5 years.
Example: Satisfaction through masturbation.
This is the last infantile stage and results in the psychological and sex-role differences. It also affects the development of the superego.
Differences between boys and girls:
Boys:
Develop possessive love for mothers and are jealous of the fathers.
Oedipus complex develops in the boy has strong desire for his mom and hates his father
Experience Castration Anxiety - fear of losing their “boy parts”. Which are at this point the vital organ of pleasure
Girls:
Develop love for their dads
Electra complex in the girl has strong love for her dad and hates her mom.
Display Penis-Envy in girls want to obtain their own penis.
If a male is fixated: - he may devote his life for sexual gratification which he had missed as a child
- He may get attracted to other men.
If a female is fixated: - she may have more difficulty to identify with her mother. As they blame her for not getting a penis.
4) Latency Stage
Time of establishment: 6 – 12 years.
During this stage there is an absence of any certain sensitive area which influences a child.
5) Genital Stage
Time of establishment: puberty +
This phase is when the person feels sexual love, lust and affection towards others.
General Fixations
Fixated Stage Possible Outcomes
Oral Oral Personality or Bipolar Disorder
Anal Anal Retentive Personality, Anal Expulsive Personality, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Phallic Phobia Disorder
Latency No Fixation
Genital Healthy Adult
Sources: Websites:
"Freud." Free Revision Notes. Revision Notes. 07 April 2008
<http://www.revision-notes.co.uk/revision/69.html>
Tucker, Melissa Ann. "Sigmund Freud." Southern Methodist University. Southern Methodist University. 7 Apr 2008
Images: people.smu.edu/mtucker/children.gif
Reflection: Freud's Personality Structure
The Id, Ego and Superego in Me During the period of time in which each of the three personality components set in, I was the only child of the family. As a result of this I was the center of attention of both my parents. Naturally, they were able to meet all my Id influenced needs, although sometimes their superego would set in and not let them spoil me completely. Once I was able to talk and grew up, my parents encouraged me suppress my Id and let my ego and superego take over. Unlike the other children, I would come back home after perhaps 1 or 2 hours of play, whereas they would for much longer. However, my parents always encouraged me to do the “right thing at this age” which was to stay at home and study. Occasionally when my parents were away shopping, I would get time to release my Id and watch TV the whole day or talk to my friends on the phone. Another major occasion was when my mum decided to go on holiday with my younger sister to India and me and dad stayed home in Holland. During the holidays I was left alone at home while my dad had to go to work, and I can now see that during this period of time my Id was completely in control of me. The second I would see my dad drive out, I’d go onto my balcony and put my stereo on full volume so that my friends living upstairs and on the next street would also come out onto their balconies and dance around like crazy. Another time my Id had over-ruled both my superego and ego was with money, my dad would give me as much money as I wanted because he wanted to keep me happy. So for 3 days straight I would take 20 euros from my dad, go the mall, to Jamin which was THE story for candy and spend everything I had. However, after the third day of candy binging my superego set in and said “NO, you’re going to make your dad broke if you carry on at this rate, whether its with spending so much money on candy or because of the resulting dental problems that are bound to come”. As of then I usually try to keep my Id under control, however even now I find it a problem when I have money in my hands.
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