Freudian Case Study: Hank

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that Hank is often looking for discussions, while he believes that other people are stubborn and need to be put in their place.

4. Find an example of regression in the case. Explain it.

His eating and smoking behaviours in times of stress are examples of regression. These behaviours were developed during his childhood, by his mother consoling him with food whenever he was upset, even if she would not know for sure that he was hungry. In times of stress, he falls back into this habit of consoling himself with food or cigarettes.

5. Would a Freudian therapist view Hank’s weight problem as a behavioural problem in and of itself or as a symptom of another problem? Explain.

Most likely, a Freudian therapist would view Hank’s weight problem, especially his eating and smoking behaviours, as a symptom of the fact that he is fixated in the oral stage. According to Freudian theory, one will never pass the state of fixation, so Hank will never stop eating and smoking excessively. On the other hand, a Freudian therapist could view Hank’s weight problem as a behavioural problem, because he cannot properly deal with his stressors.

6. a) What therapeutic techniques would a Freudian therapist, like the one in the case study, likely use?

A Freudian therapist would most likely use free association and dream analysis.

b) What state of consciousness would be the focus of therapy?

When the Freudian therapist would use dream analysis, he would focus on the latent content of the dream, which is the interpretation of the manifest content of the dream. This interpretation would show the underlying psychological meaning of the dream.

c) How does healing or improvement occur during Freudian therapy?

Patients will be healing or improving on their own in Freudian therapy. The Freudian therapist helps patients with detecting their problems, but he will not assist them in the area of actual therapy.

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