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

The Psychoanalytic Approach

• Sigmund Freud – 19 th Century/early 20th

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

1

2

3

4

5

6

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 Theory

Barriers 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

“Normal” Antisocial Offender

• • Identification with criminal parent Superego is procriminal

Neurotic Offender

• • Unconscious desire to be punished Overactive superego