Approaches: Psychodynamic Flashcards
what’s the role of the unconscious?
Freud said most of our mind is made up of the unconscious - biological instinct that influences our behaviour. it contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed. these can be accessed through dreams and ‘slip of the tongue’.
what’s the tripartite?
id = pleasure principle. it gets what it wants. a seething mass of unconscious drives. present at birth. it demands instant gratification of its needs. ego = reality principle, mediator between the 2, develops at 2, reduces conflict between demands of id and superego. superego = formed at the phallic stage around 5, internalised sense of right and wrong. morality principle, punishes ego for wrongdoing through guilt.
what are the psychosexual stages?
oral = focus of pleasure is mouth, fixation is oral (smoking, biting). anal = F.O.P is anus, fixation is messy and thoughtless. phallic = F.O.P is genital, oedipus and electra complex. fixation is reckless and narcissistic. latency = early conflicts are repressed, genital = sexual desires become conscious, difficulty forming heterosexual relationships.
how is the psychodynamic approach an explanatory power? (A03)
Freud’s theory has had huge influence on psychology and is a dominant force as it explains a wide range of phenomenas (personality development, abnormal behaviour, moral withdrawal). it’s significant in drawing attention to connections between childhood experiences and later development.
how is the psychodynamic approach based on the case-study method? (A03)
Freud’s research is based on intense study of individuals such as Little Hans. although his research was detailed, it’s not possible to make universal claims about human nature based on a small number of individuals. Freud’s intepretation is subjective as it’s unlikely other researchers would draw the same conclusions. His methods lack scientific rigour.
how is the psychodynamic approach untestable concepts?
Popper argued that the psychodynamic approach doesn’t meet the scientific criterion of falsification. it’s not open to empirical testing. many of his concepts are said to occur at an unconscious level making them impossible to test. Popper considered the approach a fake science.
