Assumptions applied to Explain Relationships (psychodynamic approach)

Question 1

Name one assumption from the psychodynamic approach applied to explain relationships

Answer 1

S: Childhood experiences affect formation of relationships

E: as we pass through childhood we experience 5 psychosexual stages of development.
- Fixation at one or more stage can affect our capacity to form healthy, meaningful relationships later in life

X: e.g fixation at oral stage (through under indulgence can lead to us being sarcastic, pushing ppl away verbally as we feel insecure in our attachment to others, don’t trust them to protect us (as our mother pushed us away before we were able to fend for ourselves).
- through over-indulgence fixation = overly dependent on others and gullible (overly trusting of others) as feel too secure in real bc our mother did not allow us to be independent when we were able to be

Question 2

Another assumption of the psychodynamic approach applied to explain relationships

Answer 2

S: tripartite personality affects formation of rels

E: in healthy development (no fixations at any stage) the 3 parts of personality will be balanced in a dynamic equilibrium (constantly shifting balance)
- fixation can lead to one part generally dominating the personality

X: Id dominant = in rels person likely to be immediate, selfish, emotionally uncontrolled + pleasure seeking

• superego dominant = likely to be v anxious and worried about doing the right thing in rels w others
• ego dominant = likely to be quite unemotional and strategic in rels