Psychodynamic approach Flashcards
1
Q
What is the outline of psychodynamic approach?
A
- Proposes that the unconscious mind drives human behaviour
- E.g. psychodynamic psychologists proposed that repressed memories in unconscious can affect behaviour (repressed memories of child sexual abuse can result in poor internal working model)
- Also emphasised the importance of early child determining adult personality
- Freud proposed that fixations in any of five psychosexual stages during childhood stored in unconscious, later expressed in adult’s personality
- E.g. oral fixation could result in smoking
- Finally, explained how structures of personality and employment of defence mechanisms shape our behaviour
- E.g. Freud proposed ego responsible for balancing conflict between id and superego
2
Q
Outline the limitation of psychodynamic approach
A
- Proposed psychic determinism
- Freud suggested all behaviours determined by drives/fixations in the unconscious mind
- Limitation because psychic determinism lacks falsifiability (unconscious can’t be directly tested to gather opposing evidence and thus prove its existence is false)
- Little objective evidence that can be used to support or falsify role of unconscious in individual’s behaviour
- Questions credibility
3
Q
Outline one strength of psychodynamic approach
A
- Received supporting evidence
- Case study of 5 year old little Hans
- E.g. Freud noted Hans desire for his mother in Hans dream when he took smaller giraffe (symbolise his mother) away from big giraffe (symbolising his father)
- Freud suggested that littles Hans phobia of horses due to his unconscious fear of father (rival) displaced onto horses
- Strength because supports existence oedipus complex in phallic stage
- Adds credibility
4
Q
Outline final strength of psychodynamic approach
A
- Led to practical applications
- E.g. psychoanalysis (talking therapy trying to understand and treat patient’s psychological disorder by uncovering what’s in their unconscious mind like repressed trauma)
- Strength because such therapies used to treat many psychological disorders including depression and anxiety
- Adds credibility
