Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
The role of the unconscious
The conscious mind is the tip of the iceberg
The unconscious - part of mind that we are unaware of but directs lots of our behaviour
Vast store of biological drives and instincts that has influence on our behaviour
Contains threatening & disturbing memories that have been repressed
Structure of Personality
Id, Ego & Superego
Id
Entirely conscious, made up of selfish and primitive instincts that demand immediate gratification. primitive , pleasure principle - gets what it wants
Only Id is present at birth
Ego
The reality check that balances conflicting demands of Id and superego
Develops around 2 years, uses defence mechanisms to reduce conflict between Id & Superego
Superego
Moralistic part of our personality which represents our ideal self
Formed at the end of the phallic stage at around 5.
Psychosexual Stages
Oral- 0-1
Anal- 1-3
Phallic- 3-6
Latency
Genetal
Oral stage
Focus of pleasure is mouth, mother’s breast is object of desire
Consequence is unresolved: Oral fixation - smoking, biting nails, sarcastic, critical
Anal Stage
Focus of pleasure is anus, child gains pleasure of withholding and expelling faeces
Focus of pleasure is anus, child gains pleasure of withholding and expelling faeces
Consequence if unresolved: Anal retentive - perfectionist, obsessive
Anal expulsive - thoughtless, messy
Phallic Stage
Focus of pleasure is genetal area
Child experiences Oedipus or Electra complex
Oedipus - In phallic stage, boys develop incestous feelings towards mother and murderous hatred for father.
Fear that he will castrate them so repress feelings for mother & identify with father
Electra - girls desire their father as penis is their primary love object and hate their mother.
Consequence if unresolved: Phallic personality - narcissistic, reckless, possibly homosexual
Latency Stage
Earlier conflicts are repressed
Genital Stage
Sexual desires become conscious alongside onset of puberty
Consequence if unresolved: Difficulty forming heterosexual relationships
Defence Mechanisms
Unconscious strategies used by Ego to manage conflict between Id & Superego:
Repression - forcing distressing memory out of conscious mind
Denial - Refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality
Displacement - transferring feelings from true source of distress to substitute target
Strengths
- Real World Application
Introduced ideas of psychotherapy - psychoanalysis
First attempt to treat mental disorders psychologically rather than physically
Forerunner to talking therapies (counselling)
Shows value of psychodynamic approach in creating new approach to treatment - Explanatory Power
Ability to explain human behaviour - although controversial & bizarre - big influence on psychology
Alongside behaviourism, was key force in psychology for first half of 20th century
Draws attention to connection between childhood experiences & parents
Suggests that overall its had positive impact on psychology , literature & art
