Question

According to Freud, people use ______________ as means of preventing unwanted impulses from intruding conscious thought.

Short answer

According to Freud, people use 'defense mechanisms' as means of preventing unwanted impulses from intruding conscious thought.

Step-by-step solution

Understand terminology

The first step is to understand the terminology used by Freud in his theories. In this case, the term required refers to psychological strategies brought into play by the unconscious mind to manipulate, deny or distort reality in order to maintain a socially acceptable self-image.

Connect theory to exercise

The next step is to connect the correct term to the context of the exercise. In Freud’s theory, he outlines several defense mechanisms that the mind utilizes to prevent unwanted, anxiety-provoking thoughts from entering conscious thought.

Apply knowledge on Freud's theory

The final step is to apply your knowledge of Freud's theory to the exercise and fill in the blank. The correct answer in this context is 'defense mechanisms'.

Key concepts

Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are important tools in Freudian psychology. These are unconscious strategies employed by individuals to manage stress or unwanted thoughts. They help keep anxiety at bay by distorting reality. For instance, if someone feels anxious about a test, they may use defense mechanisms like:

• Denial: Refusing to accept reality, such as not acknowledging a poor grade.
• Repression: Pushing troubling thoughts out of awareness, like forgetting about a fight with a friend.
• Projection: Attributing one’s own feelings to someone else, such as insisting someone else is angry when it's actually you who are upset.

These tactics serve the function of shielding us from discomfort. They form naturally and operate largely outside our awareness. Recognizing and understanding them can offer insights into how we deal with daily stresses.

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic method rooted in Freudian theory. Developed by Sigmund Freud, it focuses on uncovering and resolving unconscious conflicts. By addressing these hidden issues, individuals can better understand their behaviors and emotions.

In psychoanalysis, therapy sessions often involve:

• Free Association: Speaking freely about thoughts and emotions without judgment to uncover hidden conflicts.
• Dream Analysis: Interpreting dreams to reveal unconscious desires and fears.
• Transference: Projecting feelings for one person onto the therapist, providing insight into relationship patterns.

This therapy aims to make the unconscious conscious, allowing individuals to achieve personal insight and emotional healing. It emphasizes the importance of understanding early life experiences and the influence of the unconscious mind.

Conscious and Unconscious Mind

In Freudian psychology, the mind is divided into different parts: the conscious and unconscious mind. Together, they influence how we think and behave.

The conscious mind includes everything we are currently aware of. It's our rational and logical thoughts. For example, deciding what to eat for lunch involves conscious thinking.

On the other hand, the unconscious mind contains thoughts and memories we are unaware of. This part of the mind is not easily accessible, yet it greatly impacts our behavior. It houses automatic thoughts and feelings, like instincts and deep-seated emotions.

Freud likened the mind to an iceberg: the visible tip above water represents the conscious mind, while the massive, unseen portion below symbolizes the unconscious. This metaphor highlights how much of our mental life is hidden yet still drives our actions. Understanding the interplay between these two parts can help explain why we react in certain ways to different situations.