Evolution of Psychoanalysis: The Neo-Analytic Movement and Contemporary Views

1. Chapter 10 Psychoanalytic Approaches: Contemporary Issues

2. The Neo-Analytic Movement • Although many of Freud’s ideas have not stood the test of time, others have, and have been incorporated into the contemporary version of psychoanalysis • Today, psychoanalysis is best thought of as a theory containing ideas inspired by Freud, but modified and advanced by others

3. The Neo-Analytic Movement • Psychoanalysts no longer write much about id, superego, or repressed sexuality, nor do they liken treatment to archaeological expedition in search of forgotten memories • Instead, psychoanalysts today _______________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________

4. The Neo-Analytic Movement • Contemporary psychoanalyst Drew Westen(1998) argues that contemporary psychoanalysis is based on five postulates 1. Unconscious plays a large role in life, but is not the ubiquitous influence Freud held it was 2. _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ 3. Childhood plays an important role in personality development, particularly in shaping adult relationship styles 4. _________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ 5. Personality development involves not just regulating sexual and aggressive feelings, but also moving from an immature socially dependent way of relating to others to a mature independent relationship style

5. Repression and Contemporary Research on Memory • Memory researcher Elizabeth Loftus argues that we should not conclude that all recovered memories are false, just because some are apparently false • Also, we should not assume that all recovered memories are true, just because some are true • ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • *Read p. 297-298 – False Memory Example

6. Repression and Contemporary Research on Memory • Hypnosis • ____________________________________________________________________________________________ • Hypnotized witnesses are not allowed in courts of law • In fact, hypnosis may ___________________________ • Some therapists tell patients that getting better hinges on their ability to recover forgotten memory • Confirmatory bias: • Tendency to look only for evidence that confirms belief, and not to look for evidence that disconfirms • Loftus notes that independent corroborating evidence should be sought to substantiate memories of trauma

7. Contemporary Views on the Unconscious • The cognitive unconscious view acknowledges that ________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ • ______________________ – when the actual stimuli is not consciously noticed (e.g., a phrase quickly flashed on a screen) but will influence future decisions/observations/behaviors, etc. • Research on subliminal perception indicates that ________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Ego Psychology • Shift in focus from id to ego • Freudian psychoanalysis is sometime referred to as _________________ • Erik Erikson started the _________________ movement • Emphasized ego as a powerful and independent part of personality

9. Ego Psychology • Ego is involved in mastering the environment, achieving goals, establishing identity • Establishing secure identity (sense of self) is a primary function of ego • Identity crisis – ___________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ • Who am I? • What is my place in the adult world? • What are the unifying themes in my life? • What is the purpose of my existence?

10. Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development • Erikson argued that ______________________________ ____________________________________________________ • In contrast to Freud, who thought our personalities were formed by around the age of 5 years • Erikson argued that challenges at each stage were social rather than sexual • __________________________________________________ • What remained similar to Freud was that Erikson kept a stage model of development and believed each stage represented a conflict, a developmental crisis, that need to be resolved • Fixation was also still possible – if crisis not successfully and adaptively resolved, then stuck

11. Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development

12. Karen Horney and a Feminist Interpretation of Psychoanalysis • Revised theory of penis envy • Penis is a symbol of _______________ rather than an organ that women actually desire to have • Girls realize, at an early age, that they are being denied social power because of their gender • Highlighted the influence of the ___________ on personality development • Different standards for males and females (e.g., sexual behavior) • ___________________ • Accounts for gender difference in response to competition and achievement situations

13. Emphasis on Self and the Notion of Narcissism • Ego psychology emphasizes the role of identity, which is experienced by a person as a sense of self • Narcissism • ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Can include a sense of being special and/or feelings of entitlement • Narcissistic paradox • Although the narcissist appears high in self-esteem, he or she has doubts about his or her worth as a person • Needs constant praise, reassurance, and attention from others • ________________________________________________ • Often respond aggressively by attacking or belittling their critics

14. Summary and Evaluation • Material in chapter is designed to give a balanced approach to false memories—while repressed memories can occur, not all are truly cases of forgotten memories • Contemporary psychoanalysts focus on interpersonal patterns of behavior and accompanying emotions and motivations • Contemporary psychoanalysts view personality as the result of resolving a series of social crises and an ensuing movement toward more mature forms of relating to others