Freud - theories, approach, methodology

Question 1

What is dynamic approach?

Answer 1

Viewing psychological phenomena as trasformation of psychological energy, which comes from biological energy?

Question 2

What is the pleasure principle?

Answer 2

Whenever possible energy is discharged without delay.

Question 3

What is the reality principle?

Answer 3

Discharging small amounts of energy, but only
after a delay and only after following an indirect route.

Question 4

What is the structural approach of Freud?

Answer 4

Dividing the psyche into Ego, Id and Superego.

Question 5

What are the developmental stages described by Freud?

Answer 5

Oral (0-2), Anal (2-3), Phallic (3-7), Latency (7-11), Genital (11-Adult).

Question 6

What is the normal-abnormal continuum?

Answer 6

It describes the idea that we aren’t either normal or abnormal, but rather we all lie on some point of the continuum.

Question 7

Name 3 techniques of Freud’s methodology.

Answer 7

Free association, dream analysis, transference.

Question 8

Name at least 3 strenghts of Freud’s theories.

Answer 8

1. The discovery of Central Developmental Phenomenon - developmental stages, psychological structures, uncoscious motivation, importance of early experience.
2. Very influential across multiple domains.
3. Stimulated a lot of research and is connected with contemporary research which focuses on irrational thought as well as cognitive processes.
4. Poses the challanges of studying emotions’ effects on children.
5. More broad and realistic than purely cognitive tasks.

Question 9

Name at least 3 weaknesses in Freud’s theories.

Answer 9

1. Experimenter should be trained psychonanalyst.
2. Experimenter error.
3. Unreliable human memory.
4. Difficult to test.
5. Overemphasis on childhood sexuality.