Psychodynamic approach

Question 1

What is the role of the unconscious mind?

Answer 1

They are the DRIVING force behind our behaviour.

Store of BIO drives and instincts

PROTECTS the conscious self from anxiety/trauma using defence mechanisms such as repression.

Question 2

What is the structure of personality? or the tripartite theory, as described by FREUD of the human mind?

Answer 2

the ID
the EGO
the SUPEREGO

Question 3

what is the role of the ID in personality?

Answer 3

Operates according to PLEASURE principle.

Mass of unconscious DRIVES and instincts

SELFISH and demands instant GRATIFICATION of it’s needs.

Present at BIRTH and throughout life.

Question 4

What is the role of the EGO in personality?

Answer 4

REALITY principle.

Uses COG. abilities to manage and CONTROL the ID and BALANCE it’s desires against the restrictions of reality and the SUPEREGO by employing defence mechanisms.

It’s in BOTH unconscious and conscious.

Question 5

What is the role of the SUPEREGO in personality?

Answer 5

MORALITY principle.

Represents MORAL standards and PUNISHES ego for wrong-doing through GUILT.

our INTERNALISED sense of right and wrong.

Question 6

What is a defence mechanism?

Answer 6

An AUTOMATIC unconscious strategies to PROTECT ego from ID-superego CONFLICTS.

Question 7

what are the 3 defence mechanisms the ego may use to protect it from id-superego conflicts?

Answer 7

Repression

Denial

Displacement

Question 8

What is repression?

Answer 8

Forcing a DISTRESSING memory from the concious-UNconscious mind.

Question 9

What is Denial?

Answer 9

REFUSING to believe something because it’s too PAINFUL to acknowledge as reality.

Question 10

What is displacement?

Answer 10

TRANSFERRING feelings from the SOURCE of distressing emotions to a SUBSTITUTE target.

e.g. a person

Question 11

What does fixation mean?

Answer 11

An OBSESSIVE interest in or feeling about someone or something. This comes through PSYCHO-SEXUAL conflict.