Question

Hu4201_endsem_2017

2.Long questions

(b) Discuss Freudian concept of structure of personality and its possible explanation with underlying neural organisation of brain.

Answer 1

Freud described the structure of personality as being divided into three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego. These three parts all coexist in varying levels of dominance in each individual.

The id is the most primal of the three. The needs of the id relate to basic human survival: food, shelter, and procreation.

The superego is the moral compass of the subconscious mind.

The ego is a mix of both the id and the superego, a sort of middle ground for both these parts of consciousness. According to Freud, the "self" was the balance between the demands of the id and the superego.

He also stated that maladaptive behavior and personality deviances we a result of a conflict between the id, ego, and superego.

Freud's Defense Mechanisms provide a bit of an insight into the neural organization and personality structure.

Defense mechanisms such as Repression dissociation and sublimation are methods that deal with impulses from the id.

The limbic system is responsible for actions that are rational thought and action;

The sexual urges of the id can be traced back to the dopamine reward system

The oedipal urges can be associated with dopamine, as well as hormones such as oxytocin and testosterone.