psychodynamic approach Flashcards
1
Q
unconscious minds influence on behaviour
A
- conscious-what we are aware of
- preconscious-thoughts we may become aware of through dreams
- Unconscious-biological drives and instincts influence our behaviour
2
Q
tripartite structure of personality
A
- Id-primitive part of the personality, operates on pleasure principal, demands instant gratification
- ego –reality principal, mediator between Id and superego
- superego-sense of right and wrong based on morality principal
3
Q
the 5 psychosexual stages
A
-oral (0 to one years)
-Anal (one to 3 years)
-phallic (3 to 6 years)
-latency (repression)
-genital (puberty) 

4
Q
Oedipus complex
A
- in phallic stage
- boys develop insesctuous feelings for mother and hatred for father
- repress feelings later on and identify with father
5
Q
Electra complex
A
- phallic stage
- penis envy for father
- hatred for mother
- give up desire and identify with mother
6
Q
Defence mechanisms
A
- repression-forcing The distressing memory out of the conscious mind
- denial-refusal to acknowledge reality
- displacement-transferring feelings from the source to a substitute target
7
Q
strength: pioneering approach to understanding human behaviour
A
- New methodological procedures based on observation rather than introspection
- 1st to demonstrate psychological treatment for disorders
- Maat et al 2009-psychoanalysis produce significant improvement in symptoms
8
Q
limitation: gender biased
A
-Freud was ignorant about female sexuality
-lead psychoanalysis to break away from Freudian theory (e.g. Karen Horney)
-Dismissing women and their sexuality was problematic
9
Q
Strength: comprehensive theory
A
- Used in literature e.g. Hamlet is a projection of Shakespeare’s mind
- Can explain behaviour outside of psychology
10
Q
Limitation: culture biased
A
- Sue and Sue (2008) little evidence for non-Western cultures
- E.g. in China a person who is depressed avoids thoughts rather than discussing
