Outline the approach

Question 1

who was it originally developed by?

Answer 1

Sigmund Freud

Question 2

what is the main assumption of the approach?

Answer 2

that all behaviour can be explained in terms of the inner conflicts of the mind for example in little Hans Freud argued his phobia of horses was caused by a displaced fear of his father

Question 3

What 3 things does it emphasis the role of?

Answer 3

• the unconscious mind
• the structure of personality
• the influence that childhood experiences have on later life

Question 4

What did Freud believe about the unconscious mind?

Answer 4

• that it determines most of our behaviour and that we are motivated by our unconscious emotional drives
• the unconscious contains unresolved conflicts and so has a powerful effect on our behaviour and experiences
• Many of these conflicts show up in our fantasies and dreams but appear in the shape of symbols

Question 5

what 3 parts does Freud argue that adult personality contains?

Answer 5

• ID
• Ego
• Super-ego

Question 6

What is the ID?

Answer 6

combination of pleasure seeking desires that we are born with

Question 7

What is the Ego?

Answer 7

• develops later and it controls the desires of the ID

- It job to maintain a balance between the ID and the super ego

Question 8

What is the Super-ego?

Answer 8

• Moralistic part of personality that develops as a child interacts with significant others such a its parents
• It can be seen as the conscience

Question 9

What does Freud say the mind is similar to?

Answer 9

• An iceberg with only the very tip being exposed and the bulk of the ice berg being unseen.
• The ID is the unconscious (Beneath the sea)
• Ego + Super ego are the conscious, Pre-conscious and unconscious levels

Question 10

What happens to info that is painful , anxiety producing or threatening?

Answer 10

pushed into and contained in the unconscious