Psychodynamic approach Flashcards
Who is the main figure in the psychodynamic approach?
Sigmund Freud
What does the psychodynamic approach out an emphasis on?
Change and development in an individual
Childhood plays a major role
What is the best known psychodynamic theory?
Psychoanalysis
What are the 4 key methods of the psychodynamic approach?
The role of the unconscious
The tripartite of personality
Defence mechanisms
The psychosexual stages
What is the role of the unconscious?
We have an ‘unconscious’ mind which influences most of our daily behaviours
What metaphor is used to describe the unconscious?
An iceberg
The top of the ice berg is visible (conscious) but the much larger part is hidden under the surface (unconscious)
What are the 3 divisions of the conscious memory?
The conscious
The precocious
The unconscious
What is the conscious?
The role of the unconscious
The small amount of mental activity we know about
e.g. thoughts
What is the preconscious?
The role of the unconscious
Things we COULD be aware of if we wanted or tried
e.g. stored info
What is the unconscious?
The role of the unconscious
Things we are unaware of and cannot become aware of
e.g. instincts
What is the tripartite of personality?
Personality is composed of 3 parts
Behaviour is a compromise between these parts
What are the 3 parts of the tripartite of personality?
Id
Ego
Superego
What is the Id?
Tripartite of personality
The ‘selfish beast’ of the personality
Contained in the unconscious mind
Operates according to the ‘pleasure principle’
What is an example of the Id?
Tripartite of personality
‘I want it now!’
What is the ego?
Tripartite of personality
‘Balances the Id and superego
Operates according to the ‘reality principle’
What is an example of the ego?
Tripartite of personality
‘Maybe I can find a compromise’
What is the superego?
Tripartite of personality
The ‘relentless policeman’ that continues to insists we do the ‘right thing’
Contained in the conscious mind
The ego ideal
What is an example of the superego?
Tripartite of personality
‘Nice people don’t do that’
When can defence mechanisms be triggered?
When faced with a situation that can’t be rationally dealt with
What part of the tripartite is used in defence mechanisms?
The ego-trying to be a good person so shields from anything bad
What are defence mechanisms and how do they work?
Unconscious distortion of reality to reduce anxiety the memory causes
This then stops the individual becoming aware of these negative feelings
What are the 3 defence mechanisms?
Repression
Denial
Displacement
What is repression?
Defence mechanisms
Forcing a distressing memory out of your conscious mind
What is an example of repression?
Defence mechanisms
e.g. forgetting the trauma of a pet dying
What is denial?
Defence mechanisms
Refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality
What is an example of denial?
Defence mechanisms
e.g. continuing to turn up to work even though you’ve been fired
What is displacement?
Defence mechanisms
Transferring feelings from the true object of anxiety onto a substitute target
What is an example of displacement?
Defence mechanisms
e.g. slamming the door after a row
What does psychosexual development refer to?
States that events in our childhood have a great influence on our adult lives, shaping our personality
What is the relevance of the 5 stages all children go through?
Psychosexual development
Each stage has a designated ‘pleasure zone’ and ‘primary activity’
Each stage requires resolution of a task
Failure to do this successfully will lead to a fixation
What are the 5 stages of psychosexual development?
Oral Anal Phallic Latent Genital
What is the oral stage of psychosexual development?
0-1
Drink from bottle and teething
What is the anal stage of psychosexual development?
1-3
Potty training
What is the phallic stage of psychosexual development?
3-6
Recognising different genders
What is the latent stage of psychosexual development?
6-11
Awareness of society
What is the genital stage of psychosexual development?
12+
Puberty and sexuality
What is fixation?
Psychosexual development
Getting stuck at any one of the stages
May occur due to trauma, pleasant or unpleasant experiences etc
Traces of the stage will remain in behaviour as an adult
