Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
What is assumption 1?
- psychodynamic
Behaviour can be explained by The Tripartite model of personality
ID
-ps
> present at birth
impulse
pleasure principle
EGO
-ps
> develops around 2yrs of age
gratifies ID
morally acceptable
reality principle
SUPEREGO
-ps
> moral/ immoral
guilt/ anxiety
morality principle
What is assumption 2?
-psychodynamic
Behaviour can be explained by the unconscious mind
What are the 3 defence mechanisms?
-psychodynamic
• displacement
• repression
• projection
DISPLACEMENT
- ps
Redirect unacceptable feelings from the original source to a safer target
- shouting at your children instead of boss
REPRESSION
- ps
Unknowingly place an unpleasant memory in the unconscious mind
PROJECTION
- ps
Attributing your own unacceptable feelings and thoughts to others not yourself
- accuse someone of cheating
What’s is assumption 3?
- pyschodynamic
Behaviour can be explained through childhood experiences
What are the 5 stages of psychosexual development?
Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency
Genital
What happened if you had too little or to much at each stage?
FUSTRATION
- needs not met
- under satisfied
OVERINDULGENCE
- more than satisfied
- too comfortable
- reluctant to move onto next stage
BECOME FIXATED
What is the therapy for the psychodynamic approach?
Dream analysis
What is the 1st component of dream analysis?
Dreams as wish fulfillment
Dreams as wish fulfilment
C1- ps
- dreams are the unconscious fulfilment of wishes that cannot be satisfied in the conscious mind
- the purpose of dreams is to protect the sleeper (primary-process thought) but also allow some expression to their buried urges (wish fulfillment)
- the therapist may work with the client to try to uncover the unconscious thoughts underlying the dream
What is the 2nd component of dream analysis?
The symbolic nature of dreams
The symbolic nature of dreams
C2- ps
- dreams are fulfilled through layers of symbolism
- allow us wish fulfillment, protect conscious from harm
- no anxiety or stress is caused
MANIFEST - what we recall described by patients story of dream
LATENT - hidden meaning uncovered by therapist
What is the 3rd component of dream analysis?
Dreamwork
Dreamwork
C3- ps
1) symbolism
- replaces action, idea, person
2) displacement
- emotional significance (censored) to protect
3) representation
- thought is turned into a visual image
4) secondary elaboration
- logical story-gaps filled
5) condensing
- condense many ideas into one- face melt- father n lover
What is the 4th component of dream analysis?
The role of the therapist
The role of the therapist
C4- ps
- discover latent by examining manifest
- patient chooses an interpretation they make
- talk about underlying issues
- cathartic for patients
- gain insight
- interpret meaning of dreams
What are the aims of dream analysis?
1) To reveal the unconscious and to bring it to the conscious
2) To uncover the latent content of a dream by examining the manifest content
3) To offer insights that allow psychological issues to be resolved
How does Dream analysis relate to assumption 1 the tripartite model of personality?
It is thought that the demands of the ID, the desires and wishes that are unacceptable in our normal working hours are regulated to our dreams. This means that dreams allow us to play at our wishes and desires in an acceptable way, rather than containing them, meaning they build up and threaten our sanity. During our waking hours, the ego is able to block out unacceptable demands of the ID and employ ego defence mechanisms. However, when we dream our ego defence mechanisms are low therefore, the ID becomes active, allowing desires to be acted upon.
How can assumption 2 (unconscious mind) be applied to dream analysis?
Psychoanalysis establishes whether repression is causing the person’s psychological illness. Dream analysis is a technique used during psychoanalysis to make the unconscious mind conscious. This means that people gain insight to their behaviour and can cure their psychological illness. The threatening nature of our unconscious thoughts is disguised in dreams. The purpose of dream analysis is to interpret what is in the unconscious mind as it expresses itself in the manifest content of a dream.
How can assumption 3 (childhood experiences) be applied to dream analysis?
Traumatic memories buried in the unconscious may be related to childhood events that you find troubling. These events may surface during dreams as a way of working through the trauma experienced. However, dreamwork will occur in order to sensor the disturbing thoughts. This means that dream content is expressed symbolically and requires interpretation in the context of a person’s life.
Effectiveness of dream analysis
1) X case studies
- not representative, bias
- Dora and Wolfman
- Dora had a reoccurring dream which represented he fathers ignorance towards her, being abused by his friend
- shows the theory as unscientific
Effectiveness of Dream Analysis
2) research support
- a strength as research has found a link between dreaming and primary process thinking- dreams as wish fulfilment
- SOLMS(2000)- used PET scans which found that during REM sleep, rational parts of the brain are inactive
- some scientific basis to underpin dream analysis
Effectiveness of Dream Analysis
3) X methodological issues
- sleep studies take place in a lab
- unnatural sleep, unnatural environment
- wires, belts, microphone, equipment
- lacks ecological validity
Ethics of Dream Analysis
1) X Emotional Harm
- can cause emotional harm
- interpretation of the dream may be distressing
- more distressing than the MH disorder they were aiming to treat
- could cause more harm than treatment, patients are warned
Ethics of Dream Analysis
2) X Therapist-client relationship
- power imbalance between client and therapist
- offer insight into patients unconscious
- leads to overdependence, rely on them to make progress
- could cause mor harm than good to the patient
Ethics of Dream Analysis
3)X False memory syndrome
- could lead to false memory syndrome
- ‘uncover’ traumas that never happened
- prolonged for financial gain
- cause more anxiety, wouldn’t have experienced if they hadn’t had the therapy
What is the research for the psychodynamic approach?
BOWLBY- 44 juvenile thieves
- maternal deprivation
What is the methodology for Bowlby’s research?
- Research method: case study
- 44 Thieves (31b,13g)
- 5-17 years old
- 27 average IQ, 15 higher, 2 lower
- 22 grade 4 thieves
- 4 grade 1 thieves
- control group- didn’t steal
- The mothers of both children
What is the procedure of Bowlby’s research?
- opportunity sampling
- IQ test/ emotional attitude assessed by psychologists
- social worker interviewed mothers
- reported to Bowlby (interviewed both)
- 2hr examination, discussed conclusion
> meet psychiatrist weekly over 6 months
> diagnose child’s emotional problems
What are the findings of Bowlby’s research?
- 6 main personality types
- 14 affectionless
- 12/14 frequent separation
- 6/44 had problems with father
- 13/14 were grade 4 thieves
- 17/27 had ambivalent relationships with mother (no separation)
- genetic, traumatic events, (other factors)
- Norman K
What are the conclusions for Bowlby’s research?
> affectionless identified early could avoid juvenile delinquency
look for diagnostic signs of A character
(lack of normal affection, shame or sense of responsibility in early life- intervention easier)
awareness raised of the damage maternal deprivation can have
What are the key issues with Bowlby’s methodologies and procedure?
X no causal findings
X biased data
X the sample
Methodology and procedures - Bowlby
X NO CAUSAL FINDINGS
- finding a relationship between prolonged separation with mothers and delinquent behaviour does not mean that we can conclusively say that one things caused another
- third factor e.g. unstable home environment
- could it be the other way round that if children were born with these traits the parents may not want o be with them?
Methodology and Procedure- Bowlby
STRENGTH- bias data
- data collected was rich, in-depth, qualitative data
- high ecological validity
- minimal manipulation from researcher
Methodology and Procedure- Bowlby
X BIAS DATA
- data may lack validity- researcher bias
- conducted psychiatric assessments himself
- no inter-rater reliability
- his own subjective interpretation
ISSUES WITH BOWLBYS DATA
- data was collected retrospectively as mothers had to recall things from 14 years ago
- mothers may change answers due to social desirability bias in the fear of being judged
- does not distinguish between deprivation and privation
Why does Bowlby’s study lack reliability?
It cannot be replicated
- cannot be certain conclusions are accurate
- cannot check Bowlby’s findings
What is the difference between Deprivation and Privation?
Deprivation is the loss of an existing attachment
Privation is the complete lack of an attachment bond
Later research has shown that deprivation and privation lead to different effects on children
Methodology and procedure- Bowlby
X THE SAMPLE
- The sample is not representative- cannot be replicated to non-thieves (the majority of children)
- Only consisted of those children who had been caught thieving
- not ‘normal’ children all from his clinic- has a range of psychological and emotional issues
What is the alternative evidence to Bowlby’s research?
Rutters Romanian orphans
- Romanian women were forced to have 5 children
- 100,000 live in orphanages
- lots had learning difficulties and were harder to look after due to their behaviour
- brought to the UK to be given a better chance at life
What can we conclude from Rutters research?
- the longer it took for a child to be adopted, the lower their IQ
- rates of recovery is related to their age of adoption
- children adopted younger than 6 months developed normally in line with British adopted children
- those adopted older than 6 months showed disinhibited attachments, had problems forming peer relationships
What does Rutters conclusions suggest about Bowlby’s research?
- may have muddled together several different experiences
- separation alone may not cause long lasting damage, especially if the child has good substitute emotional care
Alternative evidence- Robertson and Robertson- The case study of John
John experienced separation form his mother and showed negative emotional effects
However, if emotional care is provided, the child does not need to suffer emotional ill-effects
Which 2 ethical issues were a problem in Bowlby’s research?
Confidentiality and consent
Evaluation of Bowlby
X) CONFIDENTIALITY
- Published case studies and their names
- Children’s history- diagnosis of MH problems
- Therapist relationship
Evaluation of Bowlby
X) CONSENT
- Mother gave consent but not the child
- not valid consent as they were a vulnerable group and may not have understood their purpose in the research
What were the social implications of Bowlby’s research?
- highlighted the importance of maternal care
- made society recognise the role of the mother
- more rights for mothers (maternity leave)
What was a negative social implication of Bowlby’s research?
- any psychological or emotional problem could be blamed on he mothers lack of care or attention in early childhood
- unnecessary guilt for mothers/women of emotionally disturbed children
How has Bowlby’s research helped education?
- more support for children with poor attachments
- ## educate parents pre-birth to attend classes
What is the psychodynamic debate?
Mother as the primary caregiver
What is Theme 1 of the psychodynamic debate?
Feeding
Theme 1 of psychodynamic debate
FOR: Feeding
- biological
- NHS stress the importance
- FREUD-psych sexual-oral development
X mother is blamed - emotional bond
Theme 1 of the psychodynamic debate
AGAINST: Feeding
- not vital
- comfort is more important
- HARLOW’s monkeys
X unethical, not representative - anyone can be the pcg
What is Theme 2 of the psychodynamic debate?
Influence on future relationships
Theme 2 of the psychodynamic debate
FOR: Influence on future relationships
- W’s attachment is important
- monotropic, form mental representations of relationship with pcg- IWM
- HAZEN N SHAVER love quiz- correlation
X mothers are blamed for child future relationships - studies prove W more suited
Theme 2 of the psychodynamic debate
AGAINST: Influence on future relationships
- studies have shown little correlation
- contradicts Bowlby’s IWM
- ZIMMERMAN- 12-18m - 16yrs
X neglect, abuse, MD- mothers blamed - anyone can pcg as attachment doesn’t stay the same
What is Theme 3 of the psychodynamic debate?
Hormone and sex role stereotypes
Theme 3 of the psychodynamic debate
FOR: Hormone and sex role stereotypes
- oestrogen linked to care
- HERMANN ET AL- M less sensitive
- F naturally become scg- breadwinner role, M support/emotion
X W not return to work, strain economy, staff shortages - W are primarily characterised by affection and emotion rather than physical
Theme 3 of the psychodynamic debate
AGAINST: Hormone and sex role stereotypes
- M testosterone- mating/caring
- FLEMING lower T when hear children crying
- when infants distressed more empathetic response as T levels decrease
X stigma around stay at home dads - dads can be pcg, activation in limbic and socio-cognitive when they are pcg
- mothers get limbic to prepare to handle threat
Is the psychodynamic approach Deterministic of free will?
Deterministic
Why is the psychodynamic approach deterministic?
- tripartite personality is dominant
- reference to childhood experiences
- direct consequence on behaviour
What are the positive and negatives of Determinism?
-ps
- easy to establish cause and effect
X removes uniqueness and responsibility
Is the psychodynamic approach Reductionism or Holism?
Reductionism
Why is the psychodynamic approach reductionist?
- mechanics of the mind
- ID, CH experiences
What are the strengths and weaknesses of reductionism?
-ps
- isolate one factor
X ignore other key factors such as genetics
How has the psychodynamic approach been Applied to wider society?
- Dream analysis has had positive effects
- BRIGGS ET AL, lowered self harm
MD- women are more supported
What are the strengths and weakness of the application of the psychodynamic approach?
- evidence to support principles
X hard to verify- NOT cured everyone
Is the psychodynamic approach idiographic or nomothetic?
BOTH
How is the psychodynamic approach idiographic and nomothetic?
I- case studies (Dora n Wolfman)
- subjective n unique disorder
N- MD Bowlby
- T personality, psych stages
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach being both idiographic and nomothetic?
- individual differences and generalisations
X hard to investigate scientifically -I
X ignores individual differences -N
Is the psychodynamic approach Nature or Nurture?
INTERACTIONIST
How is the psychodynamic approach interactionist?
Na- ID is a biological aspect
Nu- influence personality
- CH experiences, psych stages of development
What are the strengths and weakness of the pyschodynamic approach being interactionist?
- all factors are acknowledged and investigated
x some factors may not play a significant role
Is the psychodynamic approach Scientific or Unscientific?
Unscientific
Why is the psychodynamic approach unscientific?
- unconscious mind CANNOT be objectively tested
-relies on subjective viewpoint- Freud - cannot disprove ID,EGO,SUPEREGO don’t exist
- CANNOT BE FALSIFIED
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach being unscientific?
- Dream Analysis ahs been successful which supports it
X less credible, believable and less likely to be taken seriously
