Psychodynamic approach Flashcards
What does the psychodynamic approach assume
Unconscious thought shapes behaviour
Personality has 3 components: ID, Ego and Superego
Defence mechanisms used by ego shape behaviour
Psychosexual stages shape behaviour
Outline the unconscious in role of the unconscious
Unconscious - Makes up most of the mind
Biological drives/instincts that influence behaviour/personality stored here
Suppressed thoughts e.g. threatening thoughts stored here
Mechanisms to gain access e.g. psychotherapy, free association, dream analysis and freudian slips
Outline the conscious in the role of the unconscious
Part of the mind we are aware of
Outline the preconscious in role of the unconscious
Just under the surface of the conscious
Info isn’t remembered but can be recalled
Outline the structure of personality
ID - Pleasure principle that is present from birth
Source of unconscious desires/urges
Requires instant satisfaction(selfish/irrational)
Libido(sexual desires) stored here
Ego - Reality principle formed at age 2
Reduces conflict between ID and Superego
Thinks strategically
If ego fails, defence mechanisms try to remove unpleasant feelings
Superego
Morality principle
Formed at age 5
Sense of right and wrong
What are defence mechanisms
Unconscious coping strategies for when conflict between id and superego causes high anxiety
E.g. Repression
E.g. Denial
E.g. Displacement
Outline oral psychosexual stage
Oral - Pleasure is focused on the mouth
0-1 years old
Oral fixation here leads to smoking, biting nails etc
Outline the anal psychosexual stage
Pleasure is gained from the anus through excretion
1-3 years old
Fixation here may lead to anal retentive (perfectionist, obsessive) or anal expulsive (thoughtless, messy)
Outline the phallic psychosexual stage
Phallic - Focused on genitals.
3-6 years old
Oedipus complex - Develops feelings for mother
Electra complex - Develop feelings for father/penis envy
Fixation can lead to phallic personality e.g. self obsession, reckless
Outline the latency psychosexual stage
Latency - Sexual drives repressed so child can focus on the world
6-12 years old
Outline the genital psychosexual stage
12+ years old
Sexual desires become more conscious with puberty/managed better
Fixation leads to difficulty forming sexual relationships
Evaluate the psychodynamic approach
Evidence to support - Little Hans oedipus complex
Real world application - improvement after psychoanalytical therapy
May not be appropriate for all cultures
Reductionism vs holism
