Evaluation of the Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
How is the psychodynamic approach an explanatory power?
Had a huge influence on psychology - alongside behaviourism was the dominant force in early 20th century
Explains, criminal behaviour, substance abuse, gender development and personality as well as how childhood and experience impacts on adult life
Why is the case study method used a limitation?
Freud’s research based on studies of individuals e.g. rat man and little Hans.
While detailed they weren’t deemed objective - the case of little Hans would be interpreted differently by other psychologists
They lack scientific vigour (based on letters between Freud and Hans’ dad)
Can’t be generalised
What is meant by untestable concepts?
The approach does not meet the scientific criterion of falsification as it cannot be empirically tested
Many concepts occur at an unconscious level making it impossible to test
What are the practical applications?
Psychoanalysis was developed to employ a range of techniques designed to access the unconscious such as dream therapy and has led to modern day psychotherapy
It can help with mild neurosis but criticised for causing more harm in those with serious disorders (e.g. schizophrenia)
What is psychic determinism?
Freud believed that everything was driven by unconscious forces and has deep symbolic meaning. This approach states that all behaviour is driven by the unconscious conflict meaning that free-will is an illusion
What is the link between the Oedipus complex and little Hans?
In the phallic stage little boys develop incestuous feelings towards their mother and a murderous hatred for their rival (their father). Little Hans was afraid of horses after seeing one in the street - Freud suggested he displaced his repressed feelings onto horses (horses symbolic of his fear of castration)
Comparing Views on development
PD = most coherent theory of development tying concepts and processes to specific stages but very little development past teenage years
Cognitive = Children grow increasingly more complex schemas
Humanism = sees development as ongoing process through life with parent-child relationship key
B + SI= no stage theories of development but sees learning as continuous
Comparing Nature vs Nurture
Behaviourist = all through reinforcement
Biological = all genetic
Freud thought behaviour had biological drives but parents also play a key role - similar to humanists
Cognitive = Information processing and schemas are innate but as ever evolving due to interaction with environment
Comparing reductionism
Behaviourism = reductionist
Psychodynamic looks at biological instincts but Freud’s 3 elements of personality appear more holistic
Cognitive approach = machine reductionism
Humanism = holistic approach
SLT = concentrates on imitation etc but accepts cognitive factors
Overlap and agreement
C+Be= SLT = mediating cognitive factors
C+Bi = Cognitive neuroscience
Psych + Bi = emphasise biological drives and instincts
H+Psych = viewed as person centred
Comparing determinism
Hard determinism -
Be = see behaviour as environmentally determined
Bi = as a result of genes
Psych= psychic determinism
Soft determinism -
C = we choose our thoughts and behaviours but operate in the limits of what we know
SLT = reciprocal determinism - environment influences us and we influence it
Humanists = we have complete free will
Comparing explanation and treatment of abnormal behaviour
B = blames maladaptive or faulty learning. Treat phobias with SD etc
Psych - Freud saw that anxiety emerges from unconscious conflict, childhood trauma and overused defence mechanisms - psychoanalysis sometimes successful but not appropriate for everyone
Humanist therapy = counselling
Bi = drug therapy to regulate chemicals in brain
Idiographic and Nomothetic approaches
Psych + H = idiographic (concerned with what makes people different - uses case studies)
Bi + C = more scientific so largely nomothetic( large numbers of people to establish laws) also use data from case studies especially those of abnormalities
The eclectic approach
E.g in mental illness drugs, cognitive therapy and family therapy could be combines for more effective outcome
this has helped reduce schizophrenia rates
Diathesis stress model in psychiatry = many mental disorders are an interaction between a biological predisposition and environmental triggers
Biosocial approach rejects traditional distinction between nature / nurture by explaining how biological differences are reinforced by environment during gender development for example
