Important Theories Flashcards
Psychodynamic Theory
What is Psychodynamic Theory
(Little or no free will). The assumption that unconscious cause lies behind every mental
process is known as: primary process thinking, secondary process thinking, psychic determinism, consensual
validation. Psychodynamic theory is predicated on the assumption that there is an unconscious which informs
one’s life. Psychic determinism – the idea that personality and behavior are determined more by psychological
factors than by biological conditions or current life effects.
ID
The only component of personality that is around from birth. Entirely unconscious and includes
instinctive & primitive behaviors. Source of all psychic energy, the primary component of personality.
Strives for the immediate gratification of desires.
Ego
responsible for dealing with reality. Ensures that impulses can be expressed in a manner acceptable
in the real world. Functions in the conscious, preconscious & unconscious mind. Based on the reality
principle - strives to satisfy the id’s desires realistically & appropriately.
Superego
s our sense of right & wrong. Provides guidelines for making judgment. Emerges around age
5. Guilt is here
Two Parts of the super ego
The ego ideal: includes the rules & standards for good behaviors. These behaviors include
those which are approved of by parental & other authority figures.
The conscience: includes info about things that are viewed as bad by parents and society.
These behaviors are usually forbidden & lead to bad consequences.
Ego strength
the ego’s ability to function, despite dueling forces.
Oral stage
birth – 1 year. Most of the world is interacted with by the mouth. Issues can occur
during weaning.
Anal stage
1-3 years old. Primary focus is controlling the bladder & bowel movements. According
to Freud, inappropriate parental responses can result in negative outcomes. If parents take an
approach that is too lenient, Freud suggested that an anal-expulsive personality could develop in
which the individual has a messy, wasteful or destructive personality. If parents are too strict or
begin toilet training too early, Freud believed that an anal-retentive personality develops in which
the individual is stringent, orderly, rigid and obsessive
Phallic Stage
3-6 years old. Child starts to discover the differences between male & females.
Freud also believed that boys begin to view their fathers as a rival for the mother’s affections. The
Oedipus complex describes these feelings of wanting to possess the mother and the desire to
replace the father. However, the child also fears that he will be punished by the father for these
feelings, a fear Freud termed castration anxiety. The term Electra complex has been used to
describe a similar set of feelings experienced by young girls. Freud, however, believed that girls
instead experience penis envy. Eventually, the child begins to identify with the same-sex parent as
a means of vicariously possessing the other parent. For girls, however, Freud believed that penis
envy was never fully resolved and that all women remain somewhat fixated on this stage.
Latent period
6-12, the latent period is a time of exploration in which the sexual energy is still
present, but it is directed into other areas such as intellectual pursuits and social interactions. This
stage is important in the development of social and communication skills and self-confidence.
Genital
12+ source of satisfaction: Genitals. Outcome – sexuality become focused in mature,
genital love and adult satisfaction.
Gestalt therapies
German for the world “whole.” Emphasize the current experiences of the client in the here
and now. Patient learns to recognize their needs and how the drive to satisfy those needs may influence their
behavior. Gestalt theory argues that behavior is more than the sum of its parts.
Object relations Theory
o This is more of a psycho-social/human development approach introduced by Mahler and Associates.
o According to Mahler, a child must separate and individuate so that he/she can move from being a part of
the other/child unit to being a member of a family.
o Separation occurs when a child differentiates or disengages from the mother.
o The child often uses transitional objects such as a teddy bear to separate from the mother.
o Individuation occurs when the child develops an inner representation of the mother, ability to test reality, a
sense of time and an awareness of the existence of other individuals as separate and different from
him/her. Rapprochement (have to know where it is, but doesn’t have to have it with you anymore) is the
last phase prior to the completion of individuation.
Client-Centered Theory
o Carl Rogers is noted as the founder
o This model lack authoritative rigidity and dogma. Most of its premises were made ex post facto.
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o It is based on relationship therapy and the functional school of social casework.
o Basic goal of therapy is to “release an already existing capacity for self-actualization in a potentially
competent individual”
o On a person-environment continuum, this model is closest to the person
o Techniques used are often considered non-directive (passive, nonjudgmental listening), reflective (active
listening); however, the therapist is seen as an active listener and reinterprets statements made by the
client.
Developmental stages
– middle latency, late latency, early latency, the phallic stage: 3. early latency (ages 6-8) is
a time when the child is cognitively able to separate fact from fantasy and is able to work logically and
systematically on different tasks (Piaget). The child is yet unable to consider alternative ways of thinking or doing,
thus she clings to what she “knows” something. I.e., something is black or white, all or nothing. The world is
experienced an understood in terms of absolutes.
