Approaches -> Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

Basic assumptions of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 1

• Emphasises the role of the unconscious motives and desires as well as early childhood experiences in shaping behaviour
• The psychodynamic approach is closely associated with work of sigmund freud

Question 2

The role of the unconscious/the iceberg theory

Answer 2

Freud used the metaphor of an iceberg to describe the human mind

— The tip of the iceberg represents the conscious mind -> the conscious mind is the part of the mind we are aware of

— The larger bit of the iceberg underwater represents the unconscious mind -> this is the part we are unaware of