Approaches: Psychodynamic

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

• our unconscious mind (a part of our mind that we cannot access) drives our behaviour.
• Instincts and drives motivates our behaviour through developmental stages.

Question 2

Who is the main researcher of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 2

Sigmund Freud

Question 3

What are the three structures of personality called?

Answer 3

The tripartite structure of personality

Question 4

Name the 3 parts of the tripartite structure.

Answer 4

• ID
• Ego
• Superego

Question 5

What is ID?

Answer 5

The ID operates on the pleasure principle. It is made of selfish instincts that demand immediate gratification. (from birth to 18 months)

Question 6

What is EGO?

Answer 6

The EGO operates on the reality principle. It utilises rational thinking , balancing the demands of ID and SUPEREGO. (from 18 months to 3 yrs)

Question 7

What is SUPEREGO?

Answer 7

The SUPEREGO operates on morality principle. It internalises the norms and values of society and acts as a conscience. (around 3 to 6)

Question 8

What is a defence mechanism?

Answer 8

unconscious strategies that the ego uses to balance ID and SUPEREGO.

Question 9

State and explain the examples of defence mechanisms

Answer 9

• Repression is pushing a distressing memory to your unconscious mind.
• Denial is refusing to accept the reality of an unpleasant situation.
• Displacement is a strong emotion expressed onto a neutral person or object.

Question 10

State the psychosexual stages of development

Answer 10

5 stages of development
(each stage there is a ‘source of pleasure’ known as libido)

1. the oral,
2. the anal,
3. the phallic,
4. the latent,
5. the genital.

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Question 11

What is the Oral Stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory (0-1 years)? + consequences

Answer 11

• Pleasure that comes from the mouth (sucking, feeding). Feeding experiences shape trust, dependency, and frustration.
• Oral fixation can lead to dependency, pessimism, overeating, smoking, or nail-biting.

Question 12

What is the Anal Stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory (1-3 years)? + consequences

Answer 12

• Pleasure centres on controlling bowel movements. Toilet training introduces discipline and conditional love.
• Anal retentive personality (Clean,tidy, controlling.) or anal expulsive traits (messy, reckless).

Question 13

What is the Phallic Stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory (3-5 years)? + consequences

Answer 13

• Focus on genitals and self-exploration. The Oedipus complex leads to superego formation through identification with the same-sex parent. (links to little han study)
• Men: feelings of anxiety and guilt about sex, fear of castration,possibly vanity and self obsession.
• Women: feelings of inferiority, inadequacy
  and envy.

Question 14

What is the Latent Stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory (5-puberty)? + consequences

Answer 14

Sexual drives are repressed, and the focus shifts to learning, friendships, and social skills.
Fixation does not occur during this stage.

Question 15

What is the Genital Stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory (puberty-death)? + consequences

Answer 15

Pleasure centres on mature sexual relationships, with the reawakening of sexual instincts from earlier stages
A lack of fixation here may result in difficulty forming healthy adult relationships.

Question 16

Evaluation Psychodynamic approach

Answer 16

1. Real-World Application
   Point: The psychodynamic approach introduced psychotherapy as a treatment for mental disorders.
   Evidence: Freud’s psychoanalysis was the first therapy to treat disorders psychologically, using techniques like dream analysis to uncover repressed thoughts. It is the forerunner to modern therapies like counselling.
   Explain: This highlights its value in creating new methods for mental health treatment.
   Link: Therefore, the psychodynamic approach has significant practical applications.

Counterpoint:

Psychoanalysis is inappropriate, even harmful, for severe disorders like schizophrenia, as symptoms such as paranoia prevent clients from articulating thoughts.
Link: This limits the therapy’s usefulness for all mental health issues.
2. Explanatory Power
Point: Freud’s psychodynamic approach has strong explanatory power for human behaviour.
Evidence: It explains a wide range of phenomena, including personality development, origins of psychological disorders, moral development, and gender roles.
Explain: Freud’s ideas, such as the role of childhood experiences, have influenced psychology and other fields like literature.
Link: Therefore, the psychodynamic approach remains significant despite being controversial.

3. Untestable Concepts
   Point: A limitation of the psychodynamic approach is that it lacks scientific credibility.
   Evidence: Karl Popper argued the theory is unfalsifiable because concepts like the unconscious mind cannot be tested. Ideas such as the Oedipus complex are based on case studies, which are subjective and cannot be replicated.
   Explain: This makes the psychodynamic approach pseudoscientific and reduces its scientific validity.
   Link: Therefore, it cannot establish universal laws of behaviour.