Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

Who was the research involved with the Psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

• Sigmund Freud

Question 2

What was the researches involvement with this Psychodynamic approach?

Answer 2

• Believed behaviour is determined by Psychological factors

Question 3

What is the role of the unconcious?

Answer 3

• Accessible = Conscious mind
• Inaccessible = Unconscious mind
• Freud uses the metaphor of an iceberg:
  > Tip of iceberg, above water = conscious mind
  > Ice hidden below water = unconscious mind

Question 4

Name the structure of the personality.

Answer 4

• The Id
• The superego
• The Ego

Question 5

Name the purpose of The Id, superego and ego

Answer 5

• The Id:
  > Operates in unconscious part of the mind
  > Contains libido (sexual desire)
  > Demands instant gratification/pleasure principle
• The superego:
  > Conscience - internalisation of societal rules
  > Strives for good behaviour
• The Ego:
  > Reality principle
  > Compromises with demands of Id & moralistic demands of super-ego

Question 6

What operates unconsciously and distorts reality to reduce anxiety when individual is faced with an undealable situation?

Answer 6

Defensive Mechanisms

Question 7

Name the defensive mechanisms involved with this approach.

Answer 7

• Regression
• Denial
• Displacement

Question 8

State the definition of Regression.

Answer 8

• Reverting back to a time where the situation wasn’t bad

E.g regressing back to times when as a child

Question 9

State the definition of Denial.

Answer 9

• Refusal to accept reality

- Avoid dealing with painful feelings associated with event.

Question 10

State the definition of Displacement.

Answer 10

• Redirecting thoughts & feelings (sometimes hostile)

- Taking it out on a helpless victim/object

Question 11

Name 1st strength of Psychodynamic Approach.

Answer 11

1. A pioneering approach (Psychotherapy):
   > Development of Psychoanalysis - set of psychological theories & therapeutic techniques
   > Development of successful treatments:
   
   • Depression
   • Anxiety
     > Produced improvements in symptoms - maintained years after treatment

Question 12

Name 1st limitation of Psychodynamic Approach.

Answer 12

1. Untestable Concepts:

> Unconscious mind (e.g The Id, Oedipus complex) very difficult to access = almost impossible to test

Question 13

Name the Psychosexual Stages of development.

Answer 13

• Oral
• Anal
• Phallic
• Latent
• Genitals

Question 14

Name 2nd strength of Psychodynamic Approach.

Answer 14

2. Psychic Determinism:
   > In human behaviour - no such thing as ‘a accident’
   > All behaviour determined by unconscious conflict - rooted from childhood

Question 15

Name 2nd limitation of Psychodynamic Approach.

Answer 15

2. Gender-bias approach:
   >Ignorant of female sexuality
   > People criticized his work due to ignorance