5. APPROACHES (The Psychodynamic Approach (Part 2))

Question 1

What are Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development?

Answer 1

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages are a series of stages through which every child develops. They start at birth and continue until late childhood, each characterized by the focus of the libido (sexual energy) on different body parts: the mouth, anus, and genitals.

Question 2

What is the role of the libido in Freud’s theory?

Answer 2

The libido is the sexual mental energy that motivates behaviour, feelings, and thoughts. It shifts focus to different parts of the body during each psychosexual stage.

Question 3

What happens if a child becomes fixated during a psychosexual stage?

Answer 3

If a child does not receive the proper amount of gratification during a stage, they can become fixated. This fixation can influence their adult personality and behaviour, often leading to characteristics associated with that stage.

Question 4

What is the Oral Stage and its associated personality traits?

Answer 4

The Oral Stage occurs from birth to about 18 months, where pleasure is derived from sucking and biting. Fixation at this stage can result in an Oral Personality, either passive (dependent, gullible) or aggressive (verbally or physically aggressive, such as nail-biting or smoking).

Question 5

What happens during the Anal Stage of development?

Answer 5

The Anal Stage occurs around 18 months, where pleasure is derived from defecating and potty training. Fixation can result in an Anal Expulsive personality (generous, emotional) or an Anal Retentive personality (organized, frugal).

Question 6

What is the Phallic Stage and its associated conflicts?

Answer 6

The Phallic Stage occurs around age three, where the focus is on the genitals. Boys experience the Oedipal Complex (desire for the mother and fear of the father), and girls experience the Electra Complex (desire for the father). Fixation at this stage can lead to jealousy and anxiety in adulthood.

Question 7

What happens in the Latent Stage of psychosexual development?

Answer 7

The Latent Stage occurs from age six until puberty, where the libido is not focused on any specific body part. It is a time of calm development, with a focus on friendships and social relationships.

Question 8

What is the Genital Stage and its significance?

Answer 8

The Genital Stage begins at puberty and lasts throughout adulthood, with the libido focusing on the genitals. It marks the transition into adulthood, where individuals seek mature sexual relationships.

Question 9

How does Freud define “fixation”?

Answer 9

Fixation refers to when a child’s development becomes stuck at a certain psychosexual stage due to excessive or inadequate gratification. This fixation affects adult personality and behaviour.

Question 10

What is the key difference between the “oral passive” and “oral aggressive” personality types?

Answer 10

Oral passive personalities are dependent, passive, and gullible, while oral aggressive personalities are verbally or physically aggressive, and may engage in behaviours like smoking or nail-biting.

Question 11

What was Freud’s view on the effects of early childhood experiences on personality?

Answer 11

Freud believed that early childhood experiences play a crucial role in shaping adult personality and behaviour. Any disruptions or fixations during the psychosexual stages could result in certain personality traits in adulthood.

Question 12

What did Freud’s case study of ‘Little Hans’ demonstrate?

Answer 12

The case of Little Hans demonstrated Freud’s theory of the Oedipus complex. Hans had a phobia of horses, which Freud interpreted as displacement of his fear of castration, tied to his unconscious rivalry with his father for his mother’s affection.

Question 13

What is the Oedipus Complex?

Answer 13

The Oedipus Complex is a theory that during the Phallic Stage, boys develop unconscious sexual desires for their mother and jealousy towards their father, whom they see as a rival.

Question 14

What is the Electra Complex?

Answer 14

The Electra Complex is a theory that during the Phallic Stage, girls develop unconscious sexual desires for their father and feel jealousy towards their mother.

Question 15

What are defence mechanisms in Freud’s theory?

Answer 15

Défense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used by the ego to reduce anxiety arising from conflict between the id and superego. Examples include repression, denial, and displacement.

Question 16

What is “repression” as a defence mechanism?

Answer 16

Repression is when painful or traumatic memories are pushed into the unconscious mind to prevent conscious awareness of them.

Question 17

What is “displacement” in Freud’s theory?

Answer 17

Displacement is when an emotional response is redirected from its original target (such as a parent) onto a neutral person or object, often seen in phobias.

Question 18

What is a criticism of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages theory?

Answer 18

A major criticism is that Freud’s theory is unscientific, as it is based on subjective case studies and unverifiable concepts like the libido, id, ego, and superego.

Question 19

Why is Freud’s psychodynamic theory considered determinist?

Answer 19

Freud’s theory is determinist because it suggests that behaviour is driven by unconscious forces from childhood, which individuals have no control over, leaving little room for free will.

Question 20

What is one strength of Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory?

Answer 20

One strength is that it has significantly contributed to our understanding of psychological disorders and treatment, introducing the concept of the unconscious and inspiring therapies like psychoanalysis.