Psychodynamic - ao1 Flashcards
AO1
Point 1: Strength
Explanatory power
- Had a huge influence on psychology + Western thought. As well as behaviourism.
- (Psychodynamic approach remained the dominant force in psychology for first 20th century)
- Has been used to describe a wider range of phenomena including, personality development, abnormal behaviour, moral development and gender. Approach is significant in drawing attention to the connection between experiences in childhood and our later development into the effects of early attachment patterns on adulthood and adolescence
Point 2: Weakness
Case study method
- Based on intensive study of single individuals who were often in therapy. Although observations were detailed + carefully recorded.
- Critics suggested that it is not possible to make universal claims about human nature based on studies of such a small number of individuals who were psychologically abnormal.
- Interpretations were highly scientific, in the case of Little Hans, it is unlikely that any other researcher would draw the same conclusions.
Little scientific rigour of Freud’s methods
Point 3: Weakness
Untestable concepts
- Philosopher of science, Karl Popper, argued that the psychodynamic approach does not meet the scientific criterion of falsification.
Eg. it is not open to empirical testing, possibility to be disproved
- Many of his concepts (id and Oedipus complex) occur at an unconscious level making them difficult to test.
- According to popper this affords the psychodynamic theory the status of pseudoscience rather than real science
Point 4: Strength
Practical application
- Freud bought a new form of therapy: Psychoanalysis.
- Employing a range of techniques designed to access the unconscious, eg. hypnosis and dream analysis.
- Psychoanalysis is the forerunner to many psychotherapies.
- Many success to those suffering from mild neuroses psychoanalysis. INAPPRORIATE/HARMFUL: for those suffering more serious mental disorders eg. schizophrenia
