Question 1

The Oedipus complex, the psychosexual conflict that occurs at the phallic stage of development, is characterized by a three- to five-year-old boy who

Accepted Answer

During the phallic stage, according to Freud's theory, a boy experiences the Oedipus complex where he feels a desire for his mother and jealousy towards his father who is seen as a rival competing for the mother's affection. However, the boy also fears castration by the father who is seen as more powerful, leading to feelings of guilt and anxiety. Therefore, the best answer is B as it describes the key elements of the Oedipus complex.

Question 2

In Freudian theory, "libido" and "thanatos" represent the two basic but opposing drives of

Accepted Answer

According to Freudian theory, libido represents the life instinct or "Eros" drive, which is the desire for pleasure, survival, and reproduction. Thanatos represents the death instinct, which is the desire for aggression, destruction, and eventually, the return to an inorganic state. These two opposing drives are believed to be constantly in conflict within the human psyche.

Question 3

According to Freudian theory, anxiety is a signal for the ego to marshal its defense mechanisms, which function as

Accepted Answer

According to Freudian theory, anxiety triggers the activation of the ego's defense mechanisms, which operate unconsciously to alleviate the tension caused by threatening or conflicting impulses that arise from the id and the superego. Defense mechanisms protect the ego from feeling overwhelmed and help maintain psychological equilibrium.

Question 4

Chuckie wanted an ice cream bar before dinner and he thought about going and taking one without permission. However, after thinking about it, he decided to get permission from his mom. Chuckie was operating according to the _______ principle.

Accepted Answer

Chuckie was operating according to the reality principle, which involves understanding the consequences of actions and making decisions based on reality and practicality, rather than immediate gratification (pleasure principle) or moral considerations.

Question 5

You have just read a newspaper article about a savage rape and murder. You wonder how someone could commit such a horrible crime. Then you recall from your study of Freudian theory that according to Freud, anyone could be a killer or rapist if ________ impulses are not well controlled.

Accepted Answer

According to Freudian theory, the id is the primitive and instinctual part of the psyche. It operates based on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification of desires without regard for consequences or morals. In the case of the savage rape and murder, Freud would argue that if the individual's id impulses were not well controlled, they could act out in such a horrific manner.

Question 6

Freud hypothesized that if we did not receive ratification during a stage , an individual's personality would reflect the stage throughout adult life because the person developed a(n) ___________.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, if an individual did not receive proper gratification during a stage, they could become fixated, meaning they continue to display behaviors associated with that stage throughout their adult life.

Question 7

According to psychoanalytic theory, the conflicts between the id and the superego often lead to feelings of

Accepted Answer

The conflicts between the id and the superego often create a state of anxiety as the superego tries to impose social norms, while the id seeks immediate gratification of desires. The tension between these two forces can lead to anxiety as the superego tries to control the impulses of the id.

Question 8

According to psychoanalytic theory, the role of the ego involves

Accepted Answer

According to psychoanalytic theory, the ego's primary function is to mediate conflict between the primitive impulses of the id and the external world, as well as the moral constraints of the superego. The ego uses defense mechanisms to protect itself from internal and external stressors and attempts to resolve internal conflicts in a way that is socially acceptable.

Question 9

A four-year-old girl sucks her thumb, a teenager binges on food, and an adult woman bites her fingernails. According to the Freudian theory of psychosexual development, all three are fixated at the ________ stage.

Accepted Answer

The oral stage occurs from birth to 18 months and is focused on the mouth as the center of pleasure and exploration. Fixation at this stage can manifest as oral habits such as thumb-sucking, nail-biting, or overeating.

Question 10

In which of the following defense mechanisms does an individual falsely attribute his or her own unacceptable feelings, impulses, or thoughts to another person?

Accepted Answer

Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings, impulses or thoughts to another person. For example, a person who is feeling angry and resentful towards their friend may accuse the friend of being angry and resentful towards them, even if this is not actually the case.

Question 11

According to Sigmund Freud, the Electra complex, the psychosexual conflict that occurs at the phallic stage of development in girls, is characterized by

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, during the phallic stage of development, girls experience the Electra complex, which involves feelings of jealousy and envy toward their male counterparts due to their lack of a penis. This is known as penis envy.

Question 12

Freud called the anxiety that resulted from unconscious conflicts a ___________________.

Accepted Answer

Freud referred to the anxiety resulting from unconscious conflicts as neuroses.

Question 13

Just before leaving work for the day, Theodora received a very poor rating by her supervisor, who had been constantly criticizing her in front of her coworkers. Theodora became very upset with her supervisor, but she needs her job and is powerless to express her feelings. When she got home, her kids ran up to greet her, all talking at once. Theodora responded by yelling, "Leave me alone! Can't you see I'm tired?" According to psychoanalytic theory, this is an example of the defense mechanism known as

Accepted Answer

Displacement is a defense mechanism in which a person redirects their unacceptable feelings or impulses onto a safer target. In this case, Theodora may have had pent-up frustration and anger towards her supervisor, but she could not express it to her. So, she redirected her rage towards her innocent children, who were just trying to show their love and affection for their mother. Therefore, A) displacement is the correct answer.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT included as part of Freud's structure of the mind?

Accepted Answer

Although "psyche" is a term used in psychology, it is not included as part of Freud's specific three-part structure of the mind. Freud's structure is comprised of the id, ego, and superego.

Question 15

A beginning introductory psychology student is worried about the selfish and sometimes dangerous drives of his id and wonders if it will make him commit crimes. You, a veteran of introductory psychology, respond confidently by telling him not to worry because, according to Freud,

Accepted Answer

According to Freudian theory, each individual also develops an ego that helps to manage and balance the selfish and sometimes dangerous drives of the id with the restrictions and expectations of society. Therefore, the student should not worry because their ego will help them behave more realistically and make good decisions.

Question 16

According to psychoanalytic theory, the ________ develops early in life to insure that we can adapt to the demands of the real world while still finding ways to meet our basic needs.

Accepted Answer

According to psychoanalytic theory, the ego develops as a mediator between the demands of the external world (reality) and the impulses of the id (basic needs). It balances our primitive desires with the need to conform to social norms and expectations. Therefore, it is responsible for ensuring that we can adapt to the demands of the real world while still finding ways to meet our basic needs.

Question 17

Although Freud conceptualized the libido as the life energy within the id, many people think of it as the

Accepted Answer

Many people commonly associate the libido with the sex drive, a term originally coined by Freud to describe the energy associated with sexual instincts and desires. While the libido has also been associated with other forms of energy, such as creative energy or general life force, its most common association is with sexuality.

Question 18

All of the following are examples of defense mechanisms according to psychoanalytic theory EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Adaptation is not considered a defense mechanism in psychoanalytic theory. The other options listed (displacement, repression, and projection) are commonly cited examples of defense mechanisms.

Question 19

In which of the following defense mechanisms does an individual unconsciously block disturbing wishes, thoughts or experiences from awareness?

Accepted Answer

Repression is the defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously blocks disturbing wishes, thoughts, or experiences from awareness, pushing them into the unconscious mind. Rationalization is when an individual justifies or explains their behavior to make it appear justifiable. Reaction formation is when an individual expresses the opposite of what they are feeling to cover up their true feelings. Displacement is when an individual directs their undesirable feelings onto someone or something else.

Question 20

According to psychoanalytic theory, the id operates on the "pleasure principle," which means that it

Accepted Answer

According to psychoanalytic theory, the id operates on the "pleasure principle," which means that it seeks the goal of maximizing pleasure and eliminating tension or conflicts. This is in contrast to the ego, which operates on the "reality principle" and takes into account social rules and regulations, and the superego, which represents our internalized moral standards. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect as the id pays no attention to social rules and regulations. Option B is incorrect as the id operates on primary process thinking, which is emotional and irrational. Option D is incorrect as secondary process thinking is associated with the ego.

Quiz 1: Abnormal Behavior in Historical Context