PSY 181 Chapter Notes - Chapter 0: John Maus, Libido, Hand Washing

• School: University of Rochester
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 181
• Professor: C H R I S T O P H E R N I E M I E C

Document Summary

In freudian theory, anxiety can be defined as a set of familiar, unpleasant physiological events that may or may not include a cognitive explanation. Freud believes anxiety is experienced when you don"t know what you"re worried about (danger is unknown). Freud believes that without some anxiety, we would express our sexual and aggressive urges, which would get us into danger. But most of us have more anxiety than is necessary. Libidinal urges are repressed, and when we repress them, we create energy that is under pressure, so we need to get rid of that energy. The release of this energy involves physiological symptoms of anxiety (increased heart rate, sweating, etc. )to release this pent-up energy from repressed drives. 2nd theory of anxiety: anxiety repression. Function of anxiety is to sound the alarm about impending danger. Anxiety tells us to repress evil thoughts and drives. Realistic: when there"s something real in the world we"re afraid of.