Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
What are the principles of the psychodynamic approach?
- bhv is due to unconscious motives
- focuses on past exp like rs with parents or childhood conflicts in creating bhv + personality
- (our understanding of ourselves is distorted by defence mechanisms)
What does the psychodynamic approach focus on?
- the unconscious mind
- indv past exp NOT present
What are the 4 features of the psychodynamic approach?
- role of the unconscious
- structure of personality (id, ego , superego)
- defence mechanisms (repression, denial, displacement)
- psychosexual stages
What are the the three parts of “ the role of the unconscious” ?
- the conscious
- preconscious
- unconscious
Define the conscious
The part of the mind that we know about and aware of
Define the preconscious
- part of the mind that includes thoughts and ideas
- that we may become aware of during dreams or slips of the tongue
- just below conscious mind
Define the unconscious
- part of the mind we are unaware of that drives much of our personality and bhv
- such as biological drives , instincts and even threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed or forgotten
- unconscious protects our conscious self from anx or fears
What are the 3 parts of the structure of personality?
- id
- ego
-superego
What type of principle is the id?
Pleasure principle
What type of principle is the ego?
Reality principle
What type of principle is the superego?
Morality principle
Describe the id (pleasure principle)
- unconscious part of mind
- present at birth
- focus is selfish + expects immediate gratification
- too overpowering = selfish personality
Describe the ego (reality principle)
- rational + conscious part of mind
- forms from 18 months to 3 years
- balances demands to reduce conflict between id and superego by using defence mechanisms
Describe the superego (morality principle)
- internalised sense of right and wrong
- arises thru identification with same sex parent
- forms between 3 - 6 years
- too overpowering = anxious personality + feelings of guilt
Define the term “defence mechanisms” (2)
- unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage conflict between id and superego
- e.g. repression = forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind to unconscious mind
Describe defence mechanisms
- D.M are unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage conflict between id and superego
- defence mechanisms are unconscious - we dont choose to use em
- can distort a indv reality + overuse over a long time can affect bhv
What are the 3 defence mechanisms?
- repression
- denial
- displacement
Define repression
Forcing a distressed memory out of conscious mind to unconscious
E.g. forgettng trauma of cat dying
Define denial
Refusing to acknowledge an unpleasant aspect of reality
E.g. continuing to speak to your friend even though they said they dont want to talk to u
Define displacement
Transferring feelings from true source of distressing emotion onto a less threatening substitute target
E.g. punching wall after argument with mum
Describe the psychosexual stages
- during most of the stages there is a specific conflict, the outcome of these determines future development
- child must resolve conflict at each stage before they can progress to next stage
- if not then they can become fixated, leading to certain bhvs in adulthood
What are the five psychosexual stages and what years are they present in?
Oral : 0-1 years
Anal : 1-3 years
Phallic : 3-5 years
Latency : 6 - 12 years
Genital : 12 years
Describe the oral stage and its fixation
- 0-1 years
Gratification for id is gained from the mouth such as dummies, thumb sucking and mothers breast - the consequence of unresolved conflict is an oral fixation, so smoking, biting nails, sarcastic and critical in the future
Describe the anal stage and its fixation
- 1-3 years
Gratification for id is gained from the anus such as: - expulsion
- withholding of faeces
Anal fixation =
- anal retentive personality - perfectionist + obsessive
- anal expulsive personality - thoughtless + messy
Describe the phallic stage and its fixation
- 3-5 years
Gratification from the id is gained through exploring their own genitals
To resolve conflict at this stage, child needs to identify with same sex parent and take on their attitudes + bhvs
Phallic fixation =
Phallic personality - narcissistic, reckless, problems with authority
Describe the latency stage
- 6-12 years
- earlier conflicts are repressed
Describe the genital stage and its fixation
- 12 years
- sexual desires become conscious alongside puberty
Fixation = difficulty forming hetrosexual relationships
What are the three peels to evaluate psychodynamic approach?
- psychic determinism - controlled by fixations
- prac apps - psychoanalysis
- weakness - doesnt use scientific methods
