Concept: The Id 

Textbook definition: pg 99 The Id, which is composed of biological drives, is the source of instinctive, psychic energy. Its main goal is to achieve pleasure and to avoid pain in all situations, which makes the id a selfish and unrealistic part of the mind. 

This part of the mind doesn’t look out for us in the long run. It’s all about immediate pleasure, even if it hurts us or stops us from reaching our goals. I chose a picture of cinnamon rolls because I can never eat just one. I baked these for my daughter’s birthday breakfast. I told myself I can have just one and the rest are for the kids. Unfortunately, after I ate one, I got excited and had another. I know its not good for me, but I want that immediate pleasure. Right afterwards I feel sick from too much sugar. It keeps me from losing weight. It isn’t worth it, but somehow this id portion of my mind tends to take over and I lose the self control to stop at one.

Thomas Theorom

Textbook definition: pg 102 “If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.”

To me this means we can see a situation and our interpretation of it determines our reaction. In this picture, we are camping and our 2 daughters are on a hammock. You can see one looks upset and the other appears to be smirking. There is more than one assumption you can make from this picture. One girl is bullying the other and that is why she looks upset. Another assumption is two girls are being silly and one is only faking to look upset. How I interpret the situation, will determine my reaction. The reality is one girl was on the hammock and the other wanted to join her and tease her. So she laid next to her, wrapped her arm around her, and planted a kiss on her cheek. The frown occurred during the photo, but just before and after the photo was taken, both girls were laughing and having a good time. To me this just emphasizes that not every situation is exactly how it seems, but regardless if it is believed to be true, the resulting consequences are real. If I send this picture to their grandmother, she might assume one was bullying the other and attempt to discipline in her own way. It also reminds me to slow down when responding to a situation or conflict because I might not have the full picture.

Secondary Groups

Textbook definition: pg 121 

Secondary groups are usually organized around a specific activity or the accomplishment of a task. Membership is often temporary and doesn’t usually carry the same potential for emotional satisfaction that primary group membership does. 

This photo was taken in the parking lot of my work. My co-workers saw my jeep and they all jumped into it and I took a photo. When I think of secondary groups, the first thought that comes to my mind is co-workers. We are nurses and we have the task of patient care. We work together to achieve this. I care for my co-workers, but I don’t have the same bond as I do with my family. I might only work with these people for a couple of years so the relationship is temporary and once I no longer work with them, our relationships will cease.