Psychodynamic

Question 1

Freud

Answer 1

• Mind is a flow of psychological energy which determines our behaviour
• Everyone is born with basic instincts/needs - psychological energy
• Behaviour driven by unconscious psychological drives

Question 2

Structure of Personality: Conscious

Answer 2

Drives or memories that we are aware of which are affecting our behaviour

Question 3

Structure of Personality: Preconscious

Answer 3

Drives of memories that are unconscious at the moment but not repressed - can be easily retreived if we put effort in, but currently inaccessible

Question 4

Structure of Personality: Unconscious

Answer 4

Drives or memories that shape behaviour without our awareness - repressed memories

Question 5

Structure of Personality: Id

Answer 5

• Present from birth
• Pleasure principle
• Innate drive to seek satisfaction
• Can be irrational and emotional
• Selfish/demands immediate gratification
• ‘I want it NOW’

Question 6

Structure of Personality: Ego

Answer 6

• Develops ~2y/o
• Reality Principle
• Mediates/balances other drives - aims to reduce conflicts
• Balances demands with defence mechanisms
• ‘We can’t have it right now, but in a little bit’

Question 7

Structure of Personality: Superego

Answer 7

• Develops ~5y/o
• Morality principle
• Internalised right/wrong, conscience
• Develop moral standards from parents’ example
• ‘We should NEVER want that’

Question 8

Structure of Personality: Dominant Id

Answer 8

Impulses expressed in destructiveness and immorality - could lead to conduct disorder or psychopathic behaviour

Question 9

Structure of Personality: Dominant Superego

Answer 9

Behaviour and id restricted so much that even socially acceptable pleasures are limited - could lead to anxiety disorders

Question 10

Defence Mechanisms: Repression

Answer 10

When threatening impulses or memories are repressed into our subconscious - individual unaware of these impulses/memories but they can still guide behaviour

Question 11

Defence Mechanisms: Denial

Answer 11

Individual refuses to accept reality as they want to avoid dealing with painful feelings or trauma associated with an event

Question 12

Defence Mechanisms: Displacement

Answer 12

Redirecting thoughts or feelings onto someone or something else when in a situation where you feel unable to express feelings towards intended target - gives feelings/hostility a route for release

Question 13

Oedipus Complex

Answer 13

• Boys initially sexually attracted to mother - view father as rival for her love
• Want to kill father to replace him as mother’s partner
• Irrational anxiety that father knows and will castrate them as punishment - castration anxiety
• To resolve anxiety boys much identify with father
• Father becomes role model instead of love rival - incorporate father’s morality in superego

Question 14

Electra Complex

Answer 14

• Girls initially attracted to mother, realise they can’t have her without a penis
• Feelings of loss, believe mother castrated them
• Penis envy
• Anger towards mother due to castration, focus on father as love interest - want to replace mother
• Need to form close bond with mother - eventually identify her and develop superego by internalising values and morality

Question 15

Oedipus and Electra - further info

Answer 15

• Mother-Daughter bond weaker than Father-Son - female superego weaker than male
• Electra complex can only be resolved through childbirth and by having a son as this resolves penis envy