Defense Mechanisms; Maslow

More Freudian Theory

Here's a bit more information about Freud's theories. Feel free to research this as much as you'd like.
To learn more about Freud as a person and historical figure, click there.

Mental Defenses

Repression: When painful memories or anxiety or negative thoughts occur, repression is the process of pushing or keeping them out of the mind. Be aware a person is not AWARE of Repression, as it is a subconscious event. The goal in psychoanalysis is that these repressed memories or thoughts break through to the conscious level where they can be worked on and resolved.

Suppression: Similar to repression, except that this is in the conscious mind. A person chooses not to think about a desire, wish, etc. instead of seeking for it. (Puts it out of the mind). We do this often when we want to change the subject of a conversation because its too difficult to bear, or if the topic makes us uncomfortable.

Projection: when someone consciously experiences an unconscious drive, wish, or feeling as though it belongs to someone else. A person with intense unconscious anger may project that anger onto her friend and think it is her friend who is angry, for example.

Rationalization: to explain away anxiety provoking thoughts or feelings. Usually a person who cannot face an aspect of himself, may rationalize his actions as being normal  or okay.

Reaction Formation: A person says or does the exact opposite of how he or she really feels. A desire or wish may be unacceptable, so this is turned into its exact opposite. We see a lot of this sort of thing when evangelists or preachers go on about hating homosexuality, then later are caught engaging in that sort of behavior. Before the psyche breaks down, the individual is using reaction formation to keep unwanted desires at bay.

Displacement: When an unacceptable desire is redirected toward a more acceptable alternative. Instead of unconsciously desiring sex, a woman might buy a warehouse full of shoes. Shoes are, of course, a symbol for a vagina (something that allows something else to fit into it...)

Sublimation: Like displacement, when you sublimate a desire you turn unacceptable urges into their opposites - an acceptable outlet for ones feelings/desires. Artists often do this when they channel their rage or anger into their art or music. Sylvia Plath is a good example of how her disturbed subconscious bubbled up into her poetry. In sublimation, for example, sexual frustration might end up as an angry heavy-metal album...what might we say about Lady Gaga or Marilyn Manson?

Psychoanalytical Literary Criticism:

Freud, Lacan, Jung, and Frye also use psychoanalytical theory when analyzing literature. You can read about them at the links.

1. To find out what Psychoanalytical Literary Criticism is, click here and here.
2. To learn how to do it, click here!

Need a little motivation this morning?
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the concept of self-actualization

IN THE LAB: After clicking these links and reading a bit, and taking notes, please read the handout on Maslow, Klein, and then cheer yourself up by knowing you are a good person by reading Dorothy Rowe. Self actualize your writing and get something written.

Take ideas from these psychiatrists, read The Bell Jar and apply these theories to it, read Cuckoo's Nest and also apply these theories to it. Complete the novel by Thursday.

HOMEWORK: See above.