psychodynamic approach

Question 1

assumptions

Answer 1

unconscious forces in our mind determine thoughts/feelings/processes
behaviour as adults is from childhood experiences.
abnormal behaviour is = mental conflict

Question 2

preconscious

Answer 2

part of mind that has thoughts/ memories but we arent consciously aware of them, can access if desired.

Question 3

structure of personality

Answer 3

tripartite
Id - instincts
ego - reality
superego - morality
each part needs gratification but they are in conflict
childhood experience shape three parts

Question 4

what is id

Answer 4

ID: primitive part (instincts)
operates on the pleasure principle, id gets what it wants.
Drives and instincts
Selfish and demands instant gratification

Question 5

what is ego

Answer 5

2. Ego: reality principle(reality)
   role is a mediator between other two parts
   Ego develops at 2yo and is to reduce conflict between demands of id and superego.
   Does this through defence mechanisms

Question 6

what is the super ego

Answer 6

2. Ego: reality principle(reality)
   role is a mediator between other two parts
   Ego develops at 2yo and is to reduce conflict between demands of id and superego.
   Does this through defence mechanisms

Question 7

defence mechanisms
What are they?
Give three examples

Answer 7

= result of disagreements between three parts of personality (id, ego and superego)

Repression: forcing distressing memory out the concious mind
Denial: refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality
Displacement: transferring feelings from true source of distressing emotion onto a target

Question 8

psychosexual stages

Answer 8

1. oral
   2.anal
2. phallic
   4.latent
3. genital

Question 9

oral stage

Answer 9

focus is on the mouth
child is being breast fed and mothers breast is object of easier
focus is on the mouth
pleasure from biting /sucking things
consequence = smokin

Question 10

consequence of oral stage

Answer 10

smoking
biting nails
critical
sarcastic

Question 11

anal stage

Answer 11

pleasure from withholding faeces
anal retention/ expulsion
when potty training starts

Question 12

c of anal stage

Answer 12

anal retentive - perfectionist/obsessive
expulsive - thoughtless and messy

Question 13

phallic stage

Answer 13

3-6 yrs
genital focus as one becomes aware of gender diff
superego develops through resolution of oedipus/electra complex

Question 14

phallic consequence

Answer 14

narcissistic and reckless or homosexuality

Question 15

latent stage

Answer 15

6-12
sexual desires are dormant earlier conflicts are repressed
want nothing to do with opposite sex

Question 16

latent consequence

Answer 16

none

Question 17

genital stage

Answer 17

pubert onwards 12/13+
mature adult sexuality
sexual desires are conscious thoughts
the id is very demanding

Question 18

genital consequence

Answer 18

difficulty forming heterosexual relationships

Question 19

pros of psychodynamic

Answer 19

-influential; used in the first half of 20th century and is used to explain a wide range if phenomena such as gender/personality
-Practical application; range if techniques that can be used in therapy to access the subconscious
-Supported by case studies; little hans

considers an interaction ist approach both nature/nurtue . product of innate desires plus childhood experiences

Question 20

Cons of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 20

-Deterministic; we have no free will
- case study evidence : based on individual studies for eg Little Hans, cannot make generalised claims to rest of population
- no empirical testing therefore unscientific , the theories are difficult to test
reductionist - reduces behaviour down to innate drives
psychic determinism - behaviour is unconscious drives and childhood

Question 21

little hans method study

Answer 21

longitudinal case study of han’s fears from 3-5
qualitative info from his father
began masturbating before 3y/o, mother threatened to cut it off.
his sister was born and he hated her and wished she would drown in bath.
- fear of white horses and being bitten by them
- anxious mother would leave him
- fantasies about a giraffe, two plumber ones and one parenting one

Question 22

results of little hans case study

Answer 22

he was experiencing oedipus complex
- unconscious fear of father manifested through fear of horses, especially with dark around mouth (fathers beard representation ) and blinkers ( representative of glasses)
-masturbation was sign of being in phallic stage
- giraffe fantasy was about desire to take mother away
- two plumbers was identification with his father
-family fantasy was resolution of the complex

Question 23

conclusions taken from little hans case

Answer 23

phobiasa are caused by unconscious anxiety displaced onto harmless external objects
hes an example of unconscious determinism - suggests people aren’t consciously aware of casue of their behaviour

Question 24

whats the oedipus/ electra complex

Answer 24

oedipus:
unconscious sexual desire for parent of opposite sex , scared the father is a threat and wants to castrate him so he gains a muderous hatred for the father until u associate yourself with him and grow out of the phallic stage.
for girls in the electra complex they have penis envy and hatred for their mothers until they gain a want to be mothers themselves