Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

What are the key assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

• the driving force behind our behaviour is the unconscious mind
• instincts and drives motivate our behaviour
• early childhood is pivotal in making us the person we are

Question 2

What are the three levels of our minds according to Freud?

Answer 2

Conscious: thoughts, feelings and memories one is currently aware of
Preconscious: thoughts, feelings and memories one could access if they want
Unconscious: inaccessible information

Question 3

What are the three structures of our personality?

Answer 3

• id
• ego
• superego

Question 4

What is the Id?

Answer 4

• formed between birth - 18 months
• in the unconscious mind
• focuses on self (selfish), seeks pleasure
• pleasure principle

Question 5

What is the Ego?

Answer 5

• formed from 18 months - 3 years
• in the conscious mind
• rational, balances id and superego
• reality principle

Question 6

What is the Superego?

Answer 6

• formed between 3 - 6 years
• in the unconscious mind
• acts as a moral guide, based on parental/societal values
• morality principle

Question 7

What are defence mechanisms?

Answer 7

They stop an individual from becoming consciously aware of any unpleasant thoughts, feelings, or memories that they could be experiencing.

Question 8

What are some examples of defence mechanisms?

Answer 8

• Repression
• Denial
• Displacement

Question 9

What is repression?

Answer 9

The unconscious blocking unacceptable thoughts.

Repressed thoughts still influence behaviours.

Question 10

What is denial?

Answer 10

The refusal to accept reality to avid having to deal with any painful feelings associated with a traumatic experience.

Question 11

What is displacement?

Answer 11

Occurs when the focus of a strong emotion is expressed on an alternative person or object.
e.g. a student who’s been given a detention might kick their locker

Question 12

What are the psychosexual stages?

Answer 12

Oral (0-2 years) // pleasure of the mouth
Anal (2-3 years) // pleasure of the anus
Phallic (3-6 years) // pleasure in the genital area
Latent (6-12 years) // mastery of the world
Genital (12+ years) // sexual desires

Question 13

Describe the Oedipus Complex.

Answer 13

• during the phallic stage
• boys develop incestuous feelings for their mother, and hatred for father
• develops castration anxiety
• they repress feelings for their mother
• identify with father and internalise his superego

Question 14

Describe the Electra Complex.

Answer 14

• during the phallic stage
• experience penis envy, and desire father
• believe to be castrated and blame mother
• girls give up the desire for their father (replaced with the desire for baby)
• identify with mother and internalise her superego

Question 15

Evaluate the psychodynamic approach.

Answer 15

(+) Led to the development of psychoanalysis, and psychotherapy

(+) The Little Hans case study supports the Oedipus complex.

(+) Helped develop cognitive and behavioural models.

(-) Unconscious processes lack falsifiability bc they are difficult to test bc they cannot be seen/measured.

(-) Results cannot be generalised bc supporting research is from case studies.

(-) Criticised bc Freud focuses on childhood trauma and ignores current problems.