Assumption 1: Behaviour is influenced by the unconscious mind
• We have an unconscious mind which influences our behaviour
• We are unaware of our unconscious
• The unconscious mind contains socially unacceptable ideas, wishes or desires, traumatic memories, and painful emotions – which we have repressed
Assumption 1: Behaviour is influenced by the unconscious mind
• Freudian slip– You say something which accidentally
reveals your unconscious desire. Can often be sexual or violent
– “Let’s get some eggs from the shop” becomes “Lets get some sex from the shop”
– “When I see him I will thank him” becomes “When I see him I will hit him”
• Can you think of an example of when this has happened to you?
Assumption 1: Behaviour is influenced by the unconscious mind
• Other ways of accessing the unconscious
– Dream analysis– Rorschach inkblot test–Word association
• Have a go at word association • Rorschach inkblot test
Assumption 2: Different levels of consciousness
• The mind is like an iceberg
• Conscious: what we are aware of
• Preconscious: what we could be conscious of if we turned our attention
• Unconscious: inaccessible
Assumption 3: The Tripartite Model of Personality
• We do not have one unified personality, but 3 different parts
• They pull us in different directions.– “I really need to study,
but I want to go to a party with my friends”.
• ID• EGO• SUPEREGO
Assumption 4: Ego defence mechanisms
• How the ego protects itself from unconscious thoughts and feelings
• Can push a desire out of consciousness, or transfer it to something else. – Repression– Displacement– Projection
Assumption 5: Early childhood experiences and relationships
• Events in childhood shape our adult personality
• Traumatic events can be repressed and cause stress later in life
Relationships with parents set template for adult relationships
Describe some ways that adult personality may be shaped by your childhood.
Freud’s Psychoanalytic TheoryBarriers to Development
Extreme neglect and abuse
Extreme permissiveness or unconditional warmth
No warmth or affection
Psychoanalytic types of Offenders
• Weak superego type• Weak ego type• Normal antisocial offender• Neurotic offender• Other– Psychotic– Developmentally delayed– Situational offender– Substance abuse, intoxication– Accidental offender
Weak Superego type
• Reckless disregard for conventional rules• Antisocial Cognitions• Weak conventional ambitions– Lack of ego-ideal
• Conduct problems• Conflict with authority figures• Separateness from others
Weak Ego Type
• Immaturity• Poorly developed social skills• Poor reality testing• Excessive dependence• Following the leader• Stumbling into criminal activities