4.2.1 psychodynamic approach Flashcards
basic assumption
Believes that driving force behind behaviour is the unconscious mind. It therefore believes that if we have problematic or challenging behaviour then we need to access unconscious mind to sort it out.
instincts./drives. Argues that it’s instincts/drives that motivate our behaviour. Means we are driven by instinct to go through series of stages in development of our behaviour and personality.
Early childhood experiences. Early childhood is believed to be pivotal in making us the person that we are.
role of unconscious
The psychodynamic definition of the unconscious mind can be explained using the iceberg model that draws an analogy between an iceberg and the mind.
Conscious- part of the mind that can be accessed
Preconscious- ‘just below the surface’ and is made up of the thoughts that may surface at any point into the conscious.
Unconscious- inaccessible. Traumatic or unpleasant experiences are believed to remain here.
structure of personality
Our early experiences are believed to be vital in shaping out personality
3 parts to personality and the they develop affects the person we become:
Id- birth-18 months. The ‘pleasure principle’. The dominant force of Id is to seek pleasure. The childlike, selfish, hedonist part of personality.
Ego- 18 months- 3 years. ‘reality principle’. Is able to delay Id’s drive for pleasure. Keeps the balance of influence between the Id and superego as they are opposite forces.
Superego- 3 years- 6 years old. ‘morality principle’. Act as an individual’s conscience. It feels guilt and holds someone back from behaving a certain way if it feels wrong.
psychosexual stages
Oral stage- the focus for pleasure and gratification is on the mouth. Will get pleasure from biting and sucking.
Anal stage- around 18 months old. Libido (sexual energy) of the child moves focus from the mouth to the anus. Pleasure is found through defecating.
Phallic stage- around 3 years old. Pleasure focus moves to the genitals.
Latent stage- around 6 years old. Libido is displaced around the body and is a relatively calm time in development
Genital stage- libido is focused on genitals and remains in this way for the rest of life. Strong sexual interest in the opposite sex
Oedipus complex
Boy experiences extreme sexual attraction to the mother. Father is seen as a rival and therefore has to leave so the mother can focus on him. Feels threatened by the father. Counters this anxiety by befriending the father by behaving similarly so he sees the boy as an ally
electra complex
Realisation they don’t have a penis is very important. Think the mother has removed it and so develop penis envy. When the desire is not fulfilled, it is expressed through the desire for a baby.
Little girl desires father the same way the boy does and so goes through the identification process in the same way.
defence mechanisms
Are methods we use unconsciously to reduce anxiety. Anxiety weakens the influence of the ego, which needs to be strong to mediate between the id and superego. For this reason, defence mechanisms are sometimes called ‘ego defence mechanisms’.
repression
Unpleasant memory is pushed into unconscious mind where it not accessible to the conscious mind and therefore cannot cause anxiety.
no recall
denial
The refusal to accept the reality of an unpleasant situation. Reduces anxiety causes by that situation
May believe the situation is not negative and that therefore shouldn’t cause anxiety. Resistance to accept reality
displacement
The focus of a strong emotion is expressed onto a neutral person or object. It reduces anxiety by allowing depression of that emotion
May exhibit strong emotion but focus it onto a unsolved person or object
