APPRAOCHES - PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH

Question 1

What is the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

Refers to any theory that emphasises change and development in an individual

Question 2

Define Psychic Determinism

Answer 2

The idea that all behaviour is caused by unconscious internal conflicts, over which we have no control

Question 3

What are the three levels of consciousness

Answer 3

1. The conscious
2. The preconscious
3. The unconscious

The conscious is the only level we are aware of

Question 4

What is the unconscious?

Answer 4

The part of the human mind that contains repressed ideas and memories, as well as primitive desires and impulses that have never been allowed to enter the conscious mind

Stores out biological drives and instincts (e.g. hunger, thirst and sex)

Question 5

What is are the components of the tripartite personality?

Answer 5

1. The id
2. The ego
3. The superego

Question 6

What is the id?

Answer 6

The innate part of the personality. Operates in the pleasure principle. Solely in the unconscious
Demands instant gratification
E.g. the individual is hungry, the id demands they eat there and then

Question 7

What is the ego?

Answer 7

Formed during the first 3 years of life. The mediator between the impulsive demands of the id and the reality of the external world. Operates on the reality principle.
E.g. may delay gratifying the id until there is a more appropriate opportunity to satisfy its demands

Question 8

What is the superego?

Answer 8

Divided into the conscience and the ego-ideal. The conscience is the internalisation of societal rules and determines which behaviours are allowed. Causes guilt. Operates on the morality principle.

Question 9

What is the ego-ideal?

Answer 9

What an individual strives towards, probably determined by parental standards of good behaviour.

Question 10

What are each of the psychosexual stages?

Answer 10

Oral - Mouth
Anal - Anus
Phallic - Genitals
Latent - None
Genital - Genitals

Question 11

What are the ages of each of the psychosexual stages?

Answer 11

Oral: 0 - 2
Anal: 2 -3
Phallic: 3 -6
Latent: 6 - 12
Genital: 12+

Question 12

What is the major development and adult fixation of the oral stage?

Answer 12

Major development: Weening off of breastfeeding or formula
the mouth is the focal point of sensation and how the child expresses early sexual energy

Adult fixation: Smoking, Overeating

Question 13

What is the major development and adult fixation of the anal stage?

Answer 13

Major development: Toilet training
beginning of ego development, aware of the need to conform to demands of others

Adult fixation: Orderliness, messiness

Question 14

What is the major development and adult fixation of the phallic stage?

Answer 14

Major development: Resolving Oedipus/Electra complex

Adult fixation: Deviancy, sexual dysfunction

Question 15

What is the major development and adult fixation of the latent stage?

Answer 15

Major development: Developing defence mechanisms

Adult fixation: None

Question 16

What is the major development and adult fixation of the genital stage?

Answer 16

Major development: Reaching full sexual maturity

Adult fixation: If all stages successfully completed, the person should be sexually matured and mentally healthy

Question 17

What is the Oedipus/Electra Complex?

Answer 17

Oedipus complex: Male child unconsciously wishes to posses their mother and get rid of their father. They will see their father as a rival. As a result of this desire, boys with experience castration anxiety (punishment by their father) and will eventually identify with their father

Electra complex: Female child unconsciously wishes to posses their father and get rid of their mother. They will see their mother as a rival. As a result of this desire, girls with experience ‘penis envy’ and begins to resent their mother for sending them into the world unequipped. She will eventually identify with her mother

Question 18

What are defence mechanisms? And what are three examples?

Answer 18

Unconscious strategies that protect our conscious mind from anxiety. Involves a distortion of reality

Examples:
Repression
Denial
Displacement

Question 19

What is repression?

Answer 19

Unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts and impulses. They aren’t quiet. They continue to influence behaviour without the individual being aware
E.g. a child being abused my a parent may have no recollection, but has trouble forming relationships

Question 20

What is denial?

Answer 20

Refusal to accept reality to avoid having to deal with the associated painful feelings of the event
E.g. an alcoholic will deny they have a drinking problem even after being arrested several times for drunk and disorderly

Question 21

What is displacement?

Answer 21

Redirecting though and feelings (usually hostile) in situations where the person feels unable to express them at who they should be directed towards. They take it out on a helpless victim of object