Individual Differences - Treating Abnormality (Psychodynamic Therapy)

Question 1

What is the aim of this therapy?

Answer 1

Not to ‘cure’ symptoms but help people cope better with inner emotional conflicts that cause disturbance.

Question 2

What is the purpose of this therapy?

Answer 2

Uncover unconscious conflicts, to understand CAUSE of problem.

Question 3

What techniques are used?

Answer 3

Free Association, Word Association, Dream Analysis and Projective Tests.

Question 4

What is Free Association?

Answer 4

Client reclines on couch, therapist out of sight, allows free flow of thought, feelings and images. Express them in words without censorship. Free flow of information reveals unconscious thoughts or conflicts.

Question 5

What is Word Association?

Answer 5

Client read a list of words, asked to reply with what comes instantly to mind without censorship. Analyst pays attention to unusual responses, hesitations and mental blanks which may indicate repression.

Question 6

What is Dream Analysis?

Answer 6

Unconscious drives are expressed in dreams, disguised in symbolic form to protect conscious mind. Dreams are interpreted as wish-fulfilment, usually of sexual or aggressive nature.

Question 7

What are Projective Tests?

Answer 7

Rorschach Ink Blot or Thematic Apperception Test. Client asked to describe what they see in ink blot or tell story about picture. If similar answers occur, may indicate unconscious conflicts or problems.

Question 8

What happened in Mufson et al (1999)?

Answer 8

• 12 week trial of adolescents diagnosed with major depression.
• Randomly assigned to psychotherapy or control group.
• After 12 weeks, 75% of therapy group decrease in depressive symptoms, increase in social functioning compared to 46% of control group.
• Evidence suggests therapy is effective.

Question 9

What is bad about this therapy?

Answer 9

• Conducted over number of years, therefore expensive.
• Takes long for improvements to be seen, sometimes symptoms get worse before better.
• Maybe client would get better in time without therapy.
• Could cause psychological harm – distress surrounding ‘recovery’ could be greater than distress of current disorder.
• False memory syndrome – client recovered false memories due to suggestion by therapist.