Question 1

Malachi is an executive for a major corporation. He constantly needs to find ways to meet the corporation's goals and objectives while taking into consideration factors such as laws and financial resources. Which portion of Freud's theory of personality is Malachi acting most like in making these decisions?

Accepted Answer

The ego is responsible for balancing the demands of the id with the realities of the external world. Malachi, as an executive, is constantly making decisions that balance the corporation's goals with external factors such as laws and financial resources. This requires him to use his ego to navigate complex situations and find a balance between competing demands.

Question 2

When Braden was nine, he saw one of his classmates fall under the wheels of a school bus as it pulled away from the curb. Today, at the age of 34, he has no memory of the accident. The evening news carried a flashback of the accident that happened 25 years ago, and Braden still didn't remember being at the scene when the accident happened. Where is Braden's memory of the accident contained, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's theory, memories that are repressed or forgotten are stored in the unconscious mind. Braden's lack of memory of the accident, even after being reminded of it, suggests that the memory is stored in his unconscious mind.

Question 3

How do defence mechanisms combat feelings of anxiety and guilt?

Accepted Answer

Defence mechanisms combat feelings of anxiety and guilt through self-deception. They distort or deny reality in order to protect the individual from painful emotions, thoughts, or memories that may arise. While this may provide temporary relief, it can also lead to the perpetuation of maladaptive behaviours and further psychological distress in the long run.

Question 4

Tessa is trying to decide whether to go to the gym or stay home and eat ice cream. She has the nagging thought that people who shirk their responsibilities and indulge in temporary pleasures rather than working toward self-improvement are lazy and morally corrupt. Which Freudian personality structure does this "nagging thought" represent?

Accepted Answer

The superego is the part of the personality structure that represents our moral conscience and ideals. It involves the internalization of societal norms and values, and often acts as the source of guilt or self-criticism when we behave in ways that contradict our moral beliefs. Tessa's nagging thought that indulging in temporary pleasures is lazy and morally corrupt reflects the influence of her superego and her internalized values about self-improvement.

Question 5

What term would Freud have used for finding ways to meet instinctual needs while taking into account the conditions of the external, social world?

Accepted Answer

Freud would have used the term "reality principle" to describe finding ways to meet instinctual needs while taking into account the conditions of the external, social world. The reality principle refers to the part of the ego that strives to satisfy the id's desires in realistic and socially appropriate ways, rather than simply seeking immediate gratification through the pleasure principle.

Question 6

Cari often has temper tantrums and pouts when she can't have her own way. She often behaves impulsively and becomes extremely impatient if she can't have the things that she wants immediately. Which of the following dominates Cari's personality, according to Freud's view of the personality?

Accepted Answer

Cari's behavior is indicative of the id, the primitive, impulsive, and pleasure-seeking part of the personality, which demands immediate gratification of its desires and impulses.

Question 7

According to Freud, what is "like a man on horseback who has to hold in check the superior strength of the horse"?

Accepted Answer

In Freudian theory, the ego is the part of the psyche that acts as a mediator between the id (the unconscious, instinctual drives) and the external world. The analogy of a man on horseback who has to hold in check the superior strength of the horse is often used to describe the function of the ego, which must balance the conflicting demands of the id and external reality.

Question 8

Sarah is torn between the need to study for an exam and her desire to go out with her friends. She decides that she will go out later only if she completes her studying. Which Freudian component of Sarah's personality did this realistic decision reflect the functioning of?

Accepted Answer

The ego is the component of the personality that balances the impulses of the id and the demands of the superego with the reality of the situation. In this scenario, Sarah's decision to go out later only if she completes her studying reflects a rational, reality-based decision-making process, which is consistent with the functioning of the ego.

Question 9

Gordon hadn't thought about the band "Spider Wings" for several months. However, as soon as Donovon mentioned it, Gordon instantly thought about the great time he had at their last concert. According to Freud, where in Gordon's mind was the memory of the concert contained before Donovon mentioned the "Spider Wings"?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's theory of the mind, the preconscious contains memories and thoughts that are not currently in conscious awareness, but can be easily brought to consciousness if needed. In this scenario, Gordon hadn't actively thought about "Spider Wings" for a while, but the memory of the concert was still present in his preconscious, which allowed Donovon's mention of the band to quickly bring it to conscious awareness.

Question 10

Freud ascribed great importance to sexual and aggressive impulses. Why did he focus on those impulses?

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that sexual and aggressive impulses were at the core of human behavior, often being frustrated or repressed by societal norms and expectations. Therefore, understanding these impulses was essential for understanding human behavior and resolving psychological conflicts.

Question 11

Kato sets extremely high standards for both himself and others. He tends to be rigid and inflexible and rarely allows himself to enjoy life. Which structure would Freud say dominates Kato's personality?

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that the superego represents the internalized sense of right and wrong, and its main function is to control the impulses of the id according to social and moral standards. Kato's rigid and perfectionist attitude and high standards could be associated with an overactive superego that controls his behavior and thoughts, making it difficult for him to enjoy life.

Question 12

According to Freud, what do we experience if we feel that a forbidden impulse could get out of control and be expressed in our behaviour?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, if we feel that a forbidden impulse could get out of control and be expressed in our behaviour, we experience anxiety. This anxiety arises from the fear of punishment or the moral consequences of acting on the forbidden impulse.

Question 13

Which defence mechanism involves giving yourself a plausible excuse that hides the real reasons for your behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Rationalization involves giving oneself a plausible excuse to conceal the real reasons for one's behavior or feelings.

Question 14

Having performed poorly on an exam, Helen attempts to protect her feelings of self-worth by telling herself that it does not matter because the course really is not that important to her. What defence mechanism is Helen using?

Accepted Answer

Helen is rationalizing, which involves creating false but plausible excuses to justify unacceptable behavior or outcomes in order to protect self-esteem.

Question 15

Which of the following is a key concept in Freudian theory?

Accepted Answer

Conflict is a central concept in Freudian theory as it is believed that conflicts between the conscious and unconscious mind drive behavior and psychological development. Freud's theory posits that individuals are motivated by unconscious desires and that therapy can help bring these conflicts to conscious awareness and resolution. Personal growth, reinforcement, and self-actualization are concepts from other psychological theories.

Question 16

Which of the following statements would Sigmund Freud have been least likely to make?

Accepted Answer

Sigmund Freud is known for his theory of the unconscious and the influence of unconscious processes on human behavior. Hence, he would be least likely to make the statement that most of our behavior is rationally directed, as it suggests a conscious and logical decision-making process.

Question 17

Molly is currently thinking about all the things she has to do before she goes to her first class. She is mentally making lists of all these things so she will remember to do them on her way to school. Where are these thoughts contained in Molly's mind, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Molly is currently thinking about all the...

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT stressed by psychoanalytic theory?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic theory places a strong emphasis on unconscious thought patterns, internal conflicts, the handling of sexual impulses, and the role of childhood experiences in shaping an individual's personality and behavior. Conscious thought patterns, on the other hand, are not emphasized as much in this theory.

Question 19

Complete the following analogy: Id is to pleasure principle as ____________.

Accepted Answer

The pleasure principle guides the id to seek immediate gratification of its instincts and drives, while the reality principle, which is governed by the ego, considers the constraints of reality in making decisions. Therefore, the ego is most closely associated with the reality principle. The superego, on the other hand, represents the individual's internalized moral compass and inhibits behavior that goes against social norms and values. The repetition principle is not a recognized concept in psychology, and desire is too broad to be the correct answer. Finally, the executive principle is not a recognized term in psychology.

Question 20

What portion of the personality mediates between instinctual demands and the world of reality, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

The ego is the portion of the personality that mediates between instinctual demands (as represented by the id) and the world of reality. It operates according to the reality principle, which seeks to satisfy the id's demands in a way that is appropriate and effective in the external world.

Quiz 12: A: Personality: Theory, Research, and Assessment