Approaches: Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

Who made the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

Sigmund Freud.

Question 2

What does the psychodynamic approach state?

Answer 2

Events in our childhood have a great influence on our adult lives, shaping our personality.

Question 3

What are the main points of psychodynamic approach?

Answer 3

• All behaviour is from childhood. (Stages)
• Tripartite explanation. (ID, Ego, Superego)
• Unconscious mind.
• Defence mechanisms.

Question 4

What makes the tripartite model of the mind?

Answer 4

• Id
• Ego
• Superego

Question 5

When is each part of personality present?

Answer 5

Id- present from birth.
Ego- formed 18 months - 3yrs.
Superego- formed 3 - 6yrs.

Question 6

What is the Id

Answer 6

Unconscious focuses on self. Seeks pleasure. (Selfish)

Question 7

What is the ego?

Answer 7

The rational, conscious part of the mind. Tries to balance the Id and superego.

Question 8

What is the superego?

Answer 8

Acts as the conscience or moral guide, based on parental and societal values.

Question 9

What if the ego is too weak?

Answer 9

Allows id and superego to dominate.

Question 10

What if id is too strong?

Answer 10

Selfish, out of control, could become an addict.

Question 11

What if your superego is too strong?

Answer 11

Strict, anxious, obsessive.

Question 12

What are the 3 defence mechanisms?

Answer 12

Denial
Displacement
Repression

Question 13

What would occur if there was no defence mechanisms?

Answer 13

Constant disagreements between id, ego, superego can lead to anxiety

Question 14

What is denial?

Answer 14

When a person refuses to accept that an event has happened.

Question 15

What is displacement?

Answer 15

You redirect your feelings e.g. anger to another target.

Question 16

What is repression?

Answer 16

You force a distressing memory out of the conscious mind.

Question 17

What are Freud’s stages of psychosexual development?

Answer 17

• Oral stage
• Anal stage
• Phallic stage
• Latency stage
• Genital stage

Question 18

When do the stage of psychosexual development occur?

Answer 18

• Oral (birth - 1yr)
• Anal (1yr - 2yr)
• Phallic (3 - 5/6 yrs)

Question 19

What is oral stage

Answer 19

Activities involving the mouth, sucking, biting, chewing.

Question 20

What is Anal stage?

Answer 20

Pleasure of going to toilet.

Question 21

What fixations are caused by Anal stage?

Answer 21

• Anal-retentive (overly controlling)

- Anal-expulsive (easily angered)

Question 22

What is phallic stage?

Answer 22

Source of pleasure: Genitals.

Can result in guilt or anxiety about sex.

Question 23

What case study supports Freud’s psychosexual stage?

Answer 23

Little Hans: fear of horses - relates to hatred of his dad.

Question 24

Is Freud’s theory determinist or free will?

Answer 24

Determinist.

Question 25

What are advantages of psychodynamic approach?

Answer 25

Has led to psychotherapy helping people talk about their mental health issues and relate these to their childhood.

Question 26

What are limitations of psychodynamic approach?

Answer 26

• It is unfalsifiable - meaning it can’t be shown to be true or false.
• Lacks scientific proof