APPRAOCHES - PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH Flashcards
What is the psychodynamic approach?
Refers to any theory that emphasises change and development in an individual
Also any theory where drive is a central concept in this development
Define Psychic Determinism
The idea that all behaviour is caused by unconscious internal conflicts, over which we have no control
What are the three levels of consciousness
- The conscious
- The preconscious
- The unconscious
The conscious is the only level we are aware of
What is the unconscious?
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 our biological drives and instincts (e.g. hunger, thirst and sex)
What is are the components of the tripartite personality?
- The id
- The ego
- The superego
What is the id?
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
What is the ego?
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
What is the superego?
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.
What is the ego-ideal?
What an individual strives towards, probably determined by parental standards of good behaviour.
What are each of the psychosexual stages?
Oral - Mouth
Anal - Anus
Phallic - Genitals
Latent - None
Genital - Genitals
What are the ages of each of the psychosexual stages?
Oral: 0 - 2
Anal: 2 -3
Phallic: 3 -6
Latent: 6 - 12
Genital: 12+
What is the major development and adult fixation of the oral stage?
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
What is the major development and adult fixation of the anal stage?
Major development: Toilet training
beginning of ego development, aware of the need to conform to demands of others
Adult fixation: Orderliness, messiness
What is the major development and adult fixation of the phallic stage?
Major development: Resolving Oedipus/Electra complex
Adult fixation: Deviancy, sexual dysfunction
What is the major development and adult fixation of the latent stage?
Major development: Developing defence mechanisms
Adult fixation: None
What is the major development and adult fixation of the genital stage?
Major development: Reaching full sexual maturity
Adult fixation: If all stages successfully completed, the person should be sexually matured and mentally healthy
What is the Oedipus/Electra Complex?
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
What are defence mechanisms? And what are three examples?
Unconscious strategies that protect our conscious mind from anxiety. Involves a distortion of reality
Examples:
Repression
Denial
Displacement
What is repression?
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
What is denial?
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
What is displacement?
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
