University Of Phoenix Material Week 4 Assignment Worksheet

University Of Phoenix Materialweek 4 Assignment Worksheetpsychodynamic

Assignment Instructions

Complete the following table related to psychodynamic theories, matching the theorists with their main tenets, unique contributions, and limitations. Additionally, match examples with appropriate defense mechanisms, fill in the psychosexual stages of development based on descriptions, and discuss how stress impacts physical and mental health along with potential coping strategies, within the specified word count.

Paper For Above instruction

The psychodynamic perspective in psychology provides a rich framework for understanding human personality, motivations, and behavior. Originating primarily from the work of Sigmund Freud and expanded by others like Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Karen Horney, these theories explore the influence of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts on personality development.

Freud's theory emphasizes the critical role of early childhood events, unconscious processes, and sexual instincts in shaping personality. He believed that unresolved conflicts during early stages could result in fixation, influencing adult behavior and personality traits. Freud's contributions include the developmental stages of psychosexual development—oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages—that describe how personality evolves through various conflicts and resolutions during childhood.

Jung expanded upon Freud’s ideas by introducing the collective unconscious and archetypes, emphasizing universal symbols and themes shared across cultures. His theory also focused on psychological types, such as introversion and extroversion, contributing to a broader understanding of personality differences. Jung's model underscores the importance of integrating conscious and unconscious elements for psychological growth.

Adler offered a unique perspective by suggesting that striving for superiority and overcoming feelings of inferiority are central to personality development. He believed that individuals are motivated by a desire to achieve self-improvement and mastery, which can be influenced by social factors and childhood experiences. Adler's approach emphasizes the importance of social interest and community feelings in fostering psychological health.

Horney focused on social and cultural factors contributing to personality, notably the need to overcome basic anxiety—feelings of helplessness and isolation. She highlighted the importance of secure parent-child relationships and the impact of societal pressures in shaping personality. Horney also identified neurotic needs that individuals develop as coping mechanisms in response to anxiety.

Matching Defense Mechanisms

The following examples demonstrate how individuals employ defense mechanisms to manage internal conflicts and emotional distress:

• H A woman involved in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down, but she cannot remember any details of the accident. Repression
• G Taking a test makes me nervous, so I bite my nails. Regression
• A My boss yelled at me at work today and it made me very upset. I went home and ended up yelling at my spouse. Displacement
• B Even though I drink alcohol every day, I am not an alcoholic. Rationalization
• E I hate Alex, but I am overly nice and friendly with him at work. Projection
• F I broke up with my boyfriend, but I am fine with it because he was a loser. Denial
• C I am convinced my husband is cheating on me, even though I am the one who thinks about cheating. Projection
• D I am very frustrated at work and want to scream, but instead I work out my frustrations on the treadmill. Sublimation

Psychosexual Stages of Development

Describe each stage based on the given descriptions:

1. The Genital stage focuses on mature sexual relationships.
2. A 3rd grader still sucks their thumb, indicating a fixation at the Oral stage.
3. An adult who exhibits a lack of self-discipline and messiness may have had issues during the Anal stage.
4. A child who prefers the parent of the opposite sex and views the same-sex parent as a threat is experiencing the Oedipal (Phallic) conflict.
5. Children focusing on peer relationships with same-sex friends and other nonsexual activities are typically in the Latency stage.

Stress and Coping

Experiencing job loss can be a highly stressful event that significantly impacts both physical and mental health. Physically, stress triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, hormones involved in the fight-or-flight response. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, increase blood pressure, and contribute to illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. Mentally, prolonged stress might lead to anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances.

Coping strategies are essential for mitigating these adverse effects. Problem-focused coping, such as updating skills or seeking new employment opportunities, can directly address the source of stress. Emotion-focused coping techniques like mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and talking with friends or therapists help manage emotional responses. Developing a positive outlook and maintaining healthy routines, including regular exercise and proper nutrition, also support overall resilience. Recognizing the importance of social support can further buffer stress, providing emotional assistance and practical help during difficult times. Employing these strategies can help navigate the stressful period more effectively and promote mental and physical well-being.

References

• Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. SE, 19: 12-66.
• Jung, C. G. (1964). Man and his symbols. Dell.
• Adler, A. (1956). The individual psychology of Alfred Adler. Basic Books.
• Horney, K. (1937). The neurotic personality of our time. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Stern, S. (2004). Theories of personality. Pearson Education.
• McLeod, S. (2018). The psychodynamic approach. Simply Psychology.
• American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress in America survey. APA.
• Cherry, K. (2022). How stress affects your body. Verywell Mind.
• Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer Publishing.
• Vaillant, G. E. (2000). The natural history of alcoholism. Harvard University Press.