Chapter 4 Approaches - The psychodynamic approach

Question 1

The psychodynamic approach - The role of the unconscious?

Answer 1

The conscious mind is the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

Question 2

The psychodynamic approach - The structure of personality?

Answer 2

Id - primitive part, pleasure principle.
Ego - reality principle, protected by defense mechanisms.
Superego - formed age 5, sense of right & wrong, morality principle.

Question 3

The psychodynamic approach - Psychosexual stages?

Answer 3

Five stages, a different conflict at each stage leads to fixations.

Question 4

The psychodynamic approach - Defense mechanisms?

Answer 4

Used by the Ego to keep the Id ‘in check’ & reduce anxiety - repression, denial, displacement.

Question 5

Evaluation of the psychodynamic approach - Real-world application? S

Answer 5

• New form of therapy (psychoanalysis), forerunner to ‘talking therapies’.
• CP is that it’s not suitable for all mental disorders (e.g. not for schizophrenia).

Question 6

Evaluation of the psychodynamic approach - Explanatory power? S

Answer 6

Influential theories about personality, moral development & gender identity.

Question 7

Evaluation of the psychodynamic approach - Untestable concepts? L

Answer 7

Much of the theory is unfalsifiable & based on case studies, thus pseudoscientific.

Question 8

Evaluation of the psychodynamic approach - Psychic determinism? X

Answer 8

All behaviour is driven by the unconscious, leaves no room for free will.

Question 9

Evaluations of the psychodynamic approach? (SSLX)

Answer 9

S - Real-world aplication
S - Explanatory power
L - Untestable concepts
X - Psychic determinism