Approaches - Psychodynamic (PAPER 2) Flashcards
What is Psychodynamics?
The study of the unconscious mind
How is the mind structured according to the Psychodynamic approach?
The conscious mind, preconscious mind, and subconscious mind
What does Freud say is the largest part of the mind?
The unconscious
What is psychic determinism?
The idea that our behaviours are shaped by unresolved unconscious conflicts among different parts of our personality
What does Freud say is the need for the unconscious mind?
Protects the conscious mind from potentially harmful thoughts, reducing anxiety through defence mechanisms
How is the personality structured according to the psychodynamic approach?
Tripartite structure: The id, the ego, the superego
What is the id?
The part of the mind focused on immediate gratification. Works based on the pleasure principle.
What is the ego?
The part of the mind focused on rational thinking. Develops at around 18 months and acts as a mediator between id and superego. Works based on the reality principle.
What is the superego?
Part of the mind focused on morals and ethics. Develops around 3 years old as the child internalises norms and values of parents and society. Works based on the morality principle.
How does Freud suggest the structure of the personality is shaped?
Through early childhood experiences
What are the 5 psychosexual stages children pass through suggested by Freud?
- oral (0-1y)
- anal (1-3y)
- phallic (3-5y)
- latency (6-12y)
- genital (12y+(puberty))
What does Freud suggest happens if a child is unable to resolve one of their psychosexual stages?
They become fixated and their personality becomes altered, potentially leading to mental disorders called neuroses.
What is an Oedipus/Electra complex?
Suggest by Freud, an Oedipus complex is a male child’s sexual desire for their mother - seeing their father as “competition” and developing “castration anxiety”. Eventually, the boy realises he’s not in competition with his father and identifies with him, developing a male gender identity. Electra complex is the reverse for girls.
When do Oedipus and Electra complexes occur according to Freud?
During the phallic stage
What is penis envy?
The idea that during the phallic stage girls assume they used to have a penis and lost it due to castration blaming their mother. Eventually the desire for a penis becomes a desire for a baby.
