Anxiety Disorders and Stress Q 21
Letty says, “Give me ten (10) minutes to recall the name of our college professor who failed many students in our anatomy class.” She is operating on her:
A. Subconscious
B. Conscious
C. Unconscious
D. Ego
Correct Answer: A. Subconscious
Subconscious refers to the materials that are partly remembered, partly forgotten but these can be recalled spontaneously and voluntarily. Defines all reactions and automatic actions we can become aware of if we think about them. For example, our ability to drive a car: once we get skilled we stop thinking which gears to use, which pedals to press, or which mirror to look at, yet can always become aware of what was done once we think about it.
Option B: This functions when one is awake. One is aware of his thoughts, feelings, actions and what is going on in the environment. The conscious mind, on the other hand, includes everything that is inside of our awareness. The contents of the conscious mind are the things we are aware of or can easily bring into awareness.
Option C: The largest portion of the mind that contains the memories of one’s past particularly the unpleasant. It is difficult to recall the unconscious content. In Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality, the unconscious mind is defined as a reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that are outside of conscious awareness. When conceptualizing the unconscious mind, it can be helpful to compare the mind to an iceberg. Everything above the water represents conscious awareness while everything below the water represents the unconscious.
Option D: The conscious self that deals and tests reality. The second aspect of personality to emerge is known as the ego. This is the part of the personality that must deal with the demands of reality. It helps control the urges of the id and makes us behave in ways that are both realistic and acceptable. Rather than engaging in behaviors that are designed to satisfy our desires and needs, the ego forces us to fulfill our needs in ways that are socially acceptable and realistic. In addition to controlling the demands of the id, the ego also helps strike a balance between our basic urges, our ideals, and reality.