6) Psychodynamic Therapy

Question 1

What does psychotherapy aim to link?

Answer 1

How past affects what is happening now

Question 2

Explain Freud’s topographical model of the mind:

Answer 2

Conscious level of thoughts and perceptions
Pre-conscious level - memories
Unconscious level - what we don’t know about ourselves

Question 3

How does therapy affect Freud’s topographical model?

Answer 3

Allows pre-conscious layer to move lower, learn more about ourselves

Question 4

Describe the ID:

Answer 4

Primitive and irrational

Needs immediate satisfaction

Question 5

Describe the superego:

Answer 5

What you should and shouldn’t do

Too much = anxiety/depression

Question 6

Describe the ego:

Answer 6

Balances ID and superego

Question 7

What is the pleasure principle?

Answer 7

Human nature to want pleasure (over pain)

Question 8

What are defence mechanisms?

Answer 8

Ego needs defence from conflict of superego and ID which could lead to anxiety

Question 9

Describe displacement as a defence mechanism:

Answer 9

Take out your problems on someone else

Question 10

Describe reaction formation as a defence mechanism:

Answer 10

Think one way but act in proposition e.g. I feel awesome, when feeling bad

Question 11

Describe projection as a defence mechanism:

Answer 11

Putting your feeling/problem on someone else e.g. No, you’re hungover

Question 12

Describe introjection as a defence mechanism:

Answer 12

Taking the good you see in someone else and applying it to yourself

Question 13

Describe regression as a defence mechanism:

Answer 13

Return to earlier state in development. e.g. need looking after

Question 14

Describe sublimation as a defence mechanism:

Answer 14

Do something creative to defend

Question 15

How is depression a defence mechanism?

Answer 15

Instead of expressing hostility to another person, anger against self as self criticism (bad mechanism)

Question 16

What is manic defence?

Answer 16

Flight away from pain

Question 17

What is the purpose of Freudian therapy?

Answer 17

Uncover the defences which will lead to better self understanding and knowledge of unconscious motives

Question 18

How does attachment help people to deal with bad feelings?

Answer 18

In childhood, bad feeling go when mother comes to sort them out. Adults known bad feeling will go if they wait

Question 19

What is transference?

Answer 19

Unconscious transfer of feelings and attitudes from the past into the therapist e.g. raised in critical family so feel therapist’s comments are critical

Question 20

Describe Malan’s triangles:

Answer 20

1: Defences, anxiety and feelings
2: Current persons, past persons and therapist

Describe how past experiences affect how people engage with mental health professionals