The Psychology of the Person
Chapter 4 PA Research
Naomi Wagner, Ph.D
Lecture Outlines
Based on Burger, 8th edition
Difficulty of Testing Freudian Concepts
 Freud was concerned with validating his
theory.
 He used statements his patients made
during therapy as evidence of support of
the theory.
 Many of his concepts are untestable,
presenting great difficulties to
researchers.
Studies of Dreams
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Studies of dreams addressed two questions: What do people
dream about?—That is – the meaning of the content) and why do
people dream (that is – the function of the dreams).
Note studies regarding the connection between dream content
and fears and problems during the day.
Note studies regarding the frequency of male characters in men’s
dream, and the psychoanalytic interpretation regarding the
displacement of the Oedipus complex.
Note other possible interpretations. In an attempt to answer the
question why do people dream, remember the Freudian position
that the major function of dream is to allow the symbolic
expression of unconscious impulses. Note REM studies, It seems
that REM sleep serves some important function.
Freud’s Theory of Humor
 Freud’s theory of humor was quite
extensively studied
 Freud saw jokes as the expressions of
sexual and hostile urges in a socially
acceptable manner
 Our laughter provides catharsis, said
Freud, the reduction of sexual or
aggressive tension, so we are less likely
to behave aggressively etc
Humor (cont-d)
Several studies supported Freud’s ideas.
Can hostile humor can diffuse anger. Yes,
in some cases.
But sometimes the exposure to hostile
humor was found to increase the tendency
to behave aggressively
A good joke-teller should build tension in
the listener, to be diffused by the punchline
Humor and Incongruity
Incongruity means the inconsistency
between what is expected by the listener
of the joke
The punch-line is contrary to the
expectations, and it is the incongruity that
provides the reduction of tension,
according to this view.
Studies of Hypnosis
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Freud believed the hypnosis provides a means of
interacting with the unconscious.
Other psychoanalytic theories proposed that ego
creates a kind of pocket in which the formerly
unconscious material (that surfaces during hypnosis) is
stored.
The ego monitors this pocket during hypnosis but
keeps it out of conscious awareness. Note Hilgard’s
idea of neodissociation, suggesting a division of
consciousness. Part of the conscious mind is entering
a type of altered state, but part remains aware of what
is going on during the hypnotic session, acting as a
hidden observer.
A New Theory of Hypnosis:
Neo-Dissociation
 Hilgard introduced the Idea of
neodissociation, suggesting a division of
consciousness.
 Part of the conscious mind is entering a
type of altered state, but part remains
aware of what is going on during the
hypnotic session, acting as a hidden
observer.
Socio-Cognitive Theory of Hypnosis
 Note the socio-cognitive theories of
hypnosis, using the concepts of
expectancy, motivation, and
concentration to explain the hypnotic
phenomena.
 Also, note studies of post-hypnotic
amnesia. This amnesia does not seem to
be as complete as has been suggested
in the past.
Hypnosis (cont-d)
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Individuals differ in their responsiveness to
hypnotic suggestion.
The most successful effort to predict hypnotic
responsiveness from personality traits come
from the work on a trait called absorption. This
seems to be related to the ability to become
highly involved in sensory and imaginative
experiences, openness to new experiences
and proneness to fantasies and day dreaming.
Attitudes, motivation, and expectancy also
affect responsiveness to hypnosis.