Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

Who was the founder of the Psychodynamic Approach?

Answer 1

Sigmund Freud

Question 2

What does Psychodynamic mean?

Answer 2

Any theory that emphasizes individual change

Question 3

What are the 3 Assumptions of the Psychodynamic Approach?

Answer 3

1. The unconscious mind drives behaviour
2. Instincts motivate behaviour - there’s an innate desire that helps forms our personality
3. Early childhood experiences is important in making who we are - experiences in childhood is reflected in adult behaviour

Question 4

Detail the Iceberg model.
[3]

Answer 4

• Conscious mind - Tip of iceberg seen
• Preconscious mind - Memories we could be aware of if we tried
• Unconscious mind - Memories we’re unaware of

Question 5

Describe the Unconscious mind
[4]

Answer 5

• Most of our mind is made form unconscious
• Everyday action is controlled by unconscious
• Our unconscious behaviour is in Freudian Slips, Dreams
• It contains repressed memories

Question 6

Describe personality of human mind according to Psychodynamic Approach.

Answer 6

• It’s a tripartite system
• ID
• Ego
• Superego

Question 7

Desribe ID.
[4]

Answer 7

• Primitive part of personality
• Present at birth - 18 months
• Pleasure principle
• Selfish - instant gratification

Question 8

Describe the Ego.
[4]

Answer 8

• Develops between 18 months - 3 years
• Mediator between ID and superego
• Reality principle
• Role is to use self-defence mechanisms to reduce conflicst between demands of ID and superego

Question 9

Describe Superego
[4]

Answer 9

• Internalized sense of right and wrong
• Develops between 3 years - 6 years
• Morality principle
• Strives for ego ideal (strict parents)

Question 10

How do Defense Mechanisms work?
[2]

Answer 10

• They distort reality to weaken anxiety
• Anxiety weakens ego; it can’t mediate between ID and superego

Question 11

What are the three examples of Defense Mechanisms. Explain each one.
[3]

Answer 11

1. Repression - blocking an unpleasant memory
2. Denial - Refusal to accept reality
3. Displacement - Redirecting emotions onto objects

Question 12

Explain what Psychosexual Stages mean?
[3]

Answer 12

• Instincts drive our unconscious mind so dictate experience
• Underlying drive is sexual pleasure
• How pleasure manifests itself depends on child

Question 13

Name the 5 Psychosexual stages. Give what ages they appear in.

Answer 13

1. Oral (0-1)
2. Anal (1-3)
3. Phallic (3-5)
4. Latency (6-12)
5. Genital (12+)

Question 14

Describe the Oral Stage and it’s Consequences.
[2]

Answer 14

• Pleasure is from mouth (mother’s breasts)
• Consequences - smoking, biting nails

Question 15

Describe the Anal Stage and it’s Consequences.
[2]

Answer 15

• Child has pleasure releasing faeces and holding it in
• Consquences - Anal Retentive is a Perfectionist, Anal Expulsive is messy

Question 16

Describe the Phallic Stage and it’s Consequences.
[2]

Answer 16

• Genital Area (oedipus/electra complex)
• Consequence - Narcisstic, reckless, homosexual

Question 17

Describe the Latency Stage and it’s Consequences.
[2]

Answer 17

• Earlier conflicts are repressed

Question 18

Describe the Genital Stage and it’s Consequences.
[2]

Answer 18

• Sexual Desires are conscious
• Consequence - Difficult not be homosexual

Question 19

Desribe Oedipus Complex.
[4]

Answer 19

• Comes in Phallic Stage
• Boys have incestous feelings for mother
• Murderous hatred for rival in love - father
• Fearing father will castrate them, boys repress feelings for mother and identify with father

Question 20

Describe the Electra Complex.

Answer 20

• Girls experience penis envy - desire the father as penis is primary love object
• Hate mothers
• Give up desires for father over time and replace it witth desire for baby