The Psychology of the PersonThe Psychology of the PersonChapter 4 PA ResearchChapter 4 PA Research

Naomi Wagner, Ph.DNaomi Wagner, Ph.D

Lecture Outlines Lecture Outlines

Based on Burger, 8Based on Burger, 8thth edition edition

Difficulty of Testing Freudian ConceptsDifficulty of Testing Freudian Concepts

Freud was concerned with validating his Freud was concerned with validating his theory. theory.

He used statements his patients made He used statements his patients made during therapy as evidence of support of during therapy as evidence of support of the theory.the theory.

Many of his concepts are untestable, Many of his concepts are untestable, presenting great difficulties to presenting great difficulties to researchers. researchers.

Studies of DreamsStudies of Dreams

Studies of dreams addressed two questions: What do people Studies of dreams addressed two questions: What do people dream about?—That is – the meaning of the content) and why do dream about?—That is – the meaning of the content) and why do people dream (that is – the function of the dreams). people dream (that is – the function of the dreams).

Note studies regarding the connection between dream content Note studies regarding the connection between dream content and fears and problems during the day.and fears and problems during the day.

Note studies regarding the frequency of male characters in men’s Note studies regarding the frequency of male characters in men’s dream, and the psychoanalytic interpretation regarding the dream, and the psychoanalytic interpretation regarding the displacement of the Oedipus complex.displacement of the Oedipus complex.

Note other possible interpretations. In an attempt to answer the Note other possible interpretations. In an attempt to answer the question question why why do people dream, remember the Freudian position do people dream, remember the Freudian position that the major function of dream is to allow the symbolic that the major function of dream is to allow the symbolic expression of unconscious impulses. Note REM studies, It seems expression of unconscious impulses. Note REM studies, It seems that REM sleep serves some important function. that REM sleep serves some important function.

Freud’s Theory of HumorFreud’s Theory of Humor

Freud’s theory of humorFreud’s theory of humor was quite was quite extensively studiedextensively studied

Freud saw jokes as the expressions of Freud saw jokes as the expressions of sexual and hostile urges in a socially sexual and hostile urges in a socially acceptable manneracceptable manner

Our laughter provides Our laughter provides catharsis,catharsis, said said Freud, the reduction of sexual or Freud, the reduction of sexual or aggressive tension, so we are less likely aggressive tension, so we are less likely to behave aggressively etc to behave aggressively etc

Humor (cont-d)Humor (cont-d)

Several studies supported Freud’s ideas.Several studies supported Freud’s ideas. Can hostile humor can diffuse anger. Yes, Can hostile humor can diffuse anger. Yes, in some cases. in some cases. But sometimes the exposure to hostile But sometimes the exposure to hostile humor was found to increase the tendency humor was found to increase the tendency to behave aggressivelyto behave aggressivelyA good joke-teller should build tension in A good joke-teller should build tension in the listener, to be diffused by the punch-the listener, to be diffused by the punch-lineline

Humor and IncongruityHumor and Incongruity

Incongruity means the inconsistency Incongruity means the inconsistency between what is expected by the listener between what is expected by the listener of the jokeof the joke

The punch-line is contrary to the The punch-line is contrary to the expectations, and it is the incongruity that expectations, and it is the incongruity that provides the reduction of tension, provides the reduction of tension, according to this view. according to this view.

Studies of Hypnosis Studies of Hypnosis

Freud believed the hypnosis provides a means of Freud believed the hypnosis provides a means of interacting with the unconscious. interacting with the unconscious.

Other psychoanalytic theories proposed that ego Other psychoanalytic theories proposed that ego creates a kind of pocket in which the formerly creates a kind of pocket in which the formerly unconscious material (that surfaces during hypnosis) is unconscious material (that surfaces during hypnosis) is stored. stored.

The ego monitors this pocket during hypnosis but The ego monitors this pocket during hypnosis but keeps it out of conscious awareness. Note Hilgard’s keeps it out of conscious awareness. Note Hilgard’s idea of idea of neodissociation, neodissociation, suggesting a division of suggesting a division of consciousness. Part of the conscious mind is entering consciousness. Part of the conscious mind is entering a type of altered state, but part remains aware of what a type of altered state, but part remains aware of what is going on during the hypnotic session, acting as a is going on during the hypnotic session, acting as a hidden observer. hidden observer.

A New Theory of Hypnosis: A New Theory of Hypnosis: Neo-Dissociation Neo-Dissociation

Hilgard introduced the Idea of Hilgard introduced the Idea of neodissociation, neodissociation, suggesting a division of suggesting a division of consciousness.consciousness.

Part of the conscious mind is entering a Part of the conscious mind is entering a type of altered state, but part remains type of altered state, but part remains aware of what is going on during the aware of what is going on during the hypnotic session, acting as a hidden hypnotic session, acting as a hidden observer. observer.

Socio-Cognitive Theory of Hypnosis Socio-Cognitive Theory of Hypnosis

Note the socio-cognitive theories of Note the socio-cognitive theories of hypnosis, using the concepts of hypnosis, using the concepts of expectancy, motivation, expectancy, motivation, and and concentrationconcentration to explain the hypnotic to explain the hypnotic phenomena.phenomena.

Also, note studies of Also, note studies of post-hypnotic post-hypnotic amnesia. amnesia. This amnesia does not seem to This amnesia does not seem to be as complete as has been suggested be as complete as has been suggested in the past. in the past.

Hypnosis (cont-d)Hypnosis (cont-d)

Individuals differ in their responsiveness to Individuals differ in their responsiveness to hypnotic suggestion. hypnotic suggestion.

The most successful effort to predict hypnotic The most successful effort to predict hypnotic responsiveness from personality traits come responsiveness from personality traits come from the work on a trait called from the work on a trait called absorption. absorption. This This seems to be related to the ability to become seems to be related to the ability to become highly involved in sensory and imaginative highly involved in sensory and imaginative experiences, openness to new experiences experiences, openness to new experiences and proneness to fantasies and day dreaming. and proneness to fantasies and day dreaming. Attitudes, motivation, and expectancy also Attitudes, motivation, and expectancy also affect responsiveness to hypnosis. affect responsiveness to hypnosis.