Sociology and the Brain

9/25/13

Freud• Sigmund Freud explained the pysche in

his structural model.• Foundation: (3 personalities)– Id: instinctual, basic needs– Ego: realistic part, mediates desires of id

and super-ego– Super-ego: plays the critical and

moralizing role• The super-ego can stop you from doing

certain things that your id may want you to do.

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

Or... The Six-ish Stages of Morality that apply to everybody ever in the

history of always

Kohlberg

• 3 levels• 6 stages

What’s the difference?

• Id – only component present at birth.• It is the source of our bodily needs, wants,

desires, and impulses, particularly our sexual and aggressive drives.

Stage 0At this stage, the individual:• Avoids pain and seeks pleasure• Has no sense of obligation to anyone else• Is self-absorbed (unaware or anyone’s needs other than

those that are self-serving)• Does what he/she wants to do• Is amoral• Is totally egocentric in assuming that the world revolves

around his/her needs and desires• Has thus no sense of cause-effect• Is typically between the ages of 0-7 BACK

Stage 1At this stage, the individual:• Obeys rules in order to avoid punishment• Determines a sense of right and wrong by what is punished

and what is not punished• Obeys superior authority and allows that authority to make

the rules, especially if that authority has the power to inflict pain

• Is responsive to rules that will affect his/her physical well-being

• Is usually over the age of 7

BACK

What’s the difference?

• If the mind was solely guided by the id, individuals would find it difficult to wait patiently at a restaurant, while feeling hungry, and would most likely grab food off of neighboring tables.

The id "knows no judgements of value: no good and evil, no morality.... Instinctual cathexes seeking discharge — that, in our view, is all there is in the id.“ -Sigmund Freud

What’s the difference?

• Ego - it seeks to please the id’s drive in realistic ways that will benefit in the long term rather than bring grief. At the same time, ego must rationalize what the id wants and what is allowed in society.

• Toddlers begin this stage, teenagers have more opportunities to practice ego manners and establish the fine line.

Stage 2At this stage, the individual:• Is motivated by vengeance or “an eye for an eye”

philosophy• Is self-absorbed while assuming that he/she is generous• Believes in equal sharing in that everyone gets the same,

regardless of need• Believes that the end justifies the means• Will do a favor only to get a favor• Expects to be rewarded for every non-selfish deed he/she

does• Is usually over the age of 10 BACK

Stage 3At this stage, the individual:• Finds peer approval very important• Makes moral decisions on the basis of what will please a

limited group and make the person feel included• Thus models behavior on that of the “majority” which is

the behavior of the “in crowd” or peer group• Feels that intentions are as important as deeds and expects

others to accept intentions or promises in place of deeds• Begins to put himself/herself in another’s shoes and think

from another perspective• May continue to be in this stage until him/her has reached

the 20s in age BACK

What’s the difference?• The ego is that part of the id which has been modified by

the direct influence of the external world.... The ego represents what may be called reason and common sense, in contrast to the id, which contains the passions ... in its relation to the id it is like a man on horseback, who has to hold in check the superior strength of the horse; with this difference, that the rider tries to do so with his own strength, while the ego uses borrowed forces.“ Still worse, "it serves three severe masters ... the external world, the super-ego and the id.“

Its task is to find a balance between primitive drives and reality while satisfying the id and super-ego. Its main concern is with the individual's safety and allows some of the id's desires to be expressed, but only when consequences of these actions are marginal.

What does this mean?

Urges and vices

What’s the difference?• "Thus the ego, driven by the id, confined by the super-

ego, repulsed by reality, struggles ... [in] bringing about harmony among the forces and influences working in and upon it," and readily "breaks out in anxiety — realistic anxiety regarding the external world, moral anxiety regarding the super-ego, and neurotic anxiety regarding the strength of the passions in the id."It has to do its best to suit all three, thus is constantly feeling hemmed by the danger of causing discontent on two other sides. It is said, however, that the ego seems to be more loyal to the id, preferring to gloss over the finer details of reality to minimize conflicts while pretending to have a regard for reality. But the super-ego is constantly watching every one of the ego's moves and punishes it with feelings of guilt, anxiety, and inferiority.

Is this why many people have anxiety issues?

What is neurotic anxiety?

What does this mean?

Desire driven

Learned, not inherent!

What’s the difference?• Superego - reflects the internalization

of cultural rules, mainly taught by parents applying their guidance and influence.

• The super-ego works in contradiction to the id. The super-ego strives to act in a socially appropriate manner, whereas the id just wants instant self-gratification. The super-ego controls our sense of right and wrong and guilt. It helps us fit into society by getting us to act in socially acceptable ways.

The best YOU, you can be!

Stage 4At this stage, the individual:• Continues past actions and behaviors in tradition

since the maintenance of law and order is supremely important

• Is a duty doer who believes in rigid rules that should not be changed

• Respects authority and obeys it without question• Is part of about 80% of the population that does not

progress past stage 4 BACK

Stage 5At this stage, the individual:• Is motivated by the belief in the greatest amount of good for

the greatest number of people• Believes in contracts in which both parties compromise and

yet both receive benefits• Believes in consensus (everyone agrees), rather than in

majority rule• Respects the rights of the minority especially the rights of the

individual• Believes that change in the law is possible but only through

the system• Has reached the same stage as the official morality of the

nation BACK

Stage 6At this stage, the individual:• Loses the ability to compromise high principles and thus may

forfeit his/her life in order to uphold them• Believes that there are higher moral principles than those

represented by social rules and customs• Obeys these self-chosen high moral principles• Is willing to accept the consequences for disobedience of the

social rule he/she has rejected • Uses only passive resistance and has no use for violence in

any form• Believes in granting justice and dignity to all human beings as

inalienable human rights• Respects justice for its moral nature and its legal nature• Believes that the dignity of humanity is sacred and that all

humans have value BACK

Stage 7At this stage, the individual:• Is a “seeker of justice in an unjust world”• Has a cosmic perspective of life• Neglects any consideration for self• Focuses not on the individual but on the whole, a view of self

as part of the infinite whole and not as an individual part that is significant

• Thus is plagued with despair and sees a world of woe that he/she is inadequate to repair

• Possesses an altruism that is difficult for the world to comprehend and consequently his/her forgiveness and compassion often runs afoul of the world’s sense of justice I.e. moral level BACK

Approximate age ranges Freud Kohlberg

7-11 YearsMiddle Childhood

LatencyNot a stage but an interlude, when sexual needs are quiet and children put psychicenergy into conventionalactivities like schoolworkand sports.

Conventional LevelMorality seen as followingthe rules of society. Tries tobe “good.”1. “Good boy, good girl.”2. Law - and - orderorientation.

12-18 YearsAdolescence

Genital StageThe genitals are the focus of pleasurable sensations, andthe young person seekssexual stimulation andInstinctual satisfaction.

PostconventionalMorality consists ofstandards beyond specificgroup or authority figure.1. The social contractorientation.2. The universal ethicalprinciple orientation.3. Mystical and religiousreflection.

What is the majority of Professor Sharp’s Gifted Youngsters? Id, Ego, Superego?

• This test will use hypothetical situations to try and see if you are a balanced person, or if one part of your subconscious is dominating your brain.

• What is your prediction (hypothesis) the majority will be?

• Login to JCPS Online– Lessons tab

• “Id, Ego, Superego Test”

Science method

• Question: What is the majority of Professor Sharp’s Gifted Youngsters? Id, Ego, Superego?

• Hypothesis: ??• Procedure: Write what you do today and what

the class is doing to find out the answer.• Analyze data:• Conclusion: