Psychodynamic approach Flashcards
Psychodynamic approach
A perspective describing the different forces(dynamics), most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience
Assumptions of the psychodynamic approach
The psychodynamic approach states unconscious forces in our mind determine our thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
Our behaviour as adult is strongly influenced by our childhood experiences.
The mind can be divided into three levels of consciousness: the unconscious mind, which is hidden below the surface, has the most influence on our personality
Structure of personality
Tripartite model of the mind - according to Freud, we all have these three characteristics in our mind at the same time:
Character A- ID
Character B- EGO
Character C- Superego
Character A(ID)- In tripartite model
Primitive part of our personality
Operates on the pleasure principle(gets what it wants)
ID is a mass of unconscious drives and instincts
Only the ID is present at birth.
Character B(ego)tripartite model
Makes the person aware of other people’s feelings - it can’t always have its own way
Its role is to reduce the conflict between the demands of the ID and the super ego
It manages this by employing a number of defence mechanisms
Tripartite model - Character C is the superego
Internalised sense of right and wrong
Represents the moral standards of the child’s same-sex parent
Punishes the ego for wrongdoing(through guilt)
Oral stage
The mouth is the main focus of pleasure during this stage.
The child enjoys tasting and sucking
The mother’s breast is the object of desire
Successful completion of this stage is demonstrated by weaning - eating independently
Consequence of unresolved conflict:
Oral Fixation - sarcastic, critical, sensitive to rejection - overeats and drinks, bite nails, may smoke
Anal stage
18 months to 3 years
Defecation is main source of pleasure
Successful completion marked by potty training
Consequences of unresolved conflict:
Anally retentive - very tidy, stubborn, likes order and being in control, perfectionist, obsessive
Anally expulsive - Thoughtless, messy
Phallic stage
Form of pleasure is the genital area
Oedipus complex -
Boy wants his mother as his ‘primary love’ object and wants father out of way
Electra complex- Girl experience perks envy, they desire the father as the penis is their primary love object, and hate their mother
Consequence of unresolved conflict:
Phallic personality - narcissistic, reckless, possibly homosexual
Latency stage
Age 5 to puberty approximately
Focus on developing same sex friendships
Sexual urges sublimated into sports and other hobbies
Genital Stage
Puberty into adulthood
Task is to develop healthy adult relationships
Consequence of unresolved conflict:
Difficulty forming heterosexual relationships
Psychosexual stage
1) Oral stage
2) Anal stage
3) Phallic stage
4) Latency stage
5) Genital stage
The case of little Hans metjod
Hans- a child with a phonia of horses, observed by his father, who made notes of Han’s dreams and the things he said, and passed them onto Freud or analysis
Freud(1909)- the case of little Hans results
Hans was afraid of horses,because he thought they might bite him or fall on him.
During the study, he developed an interest in his penis.
Hans told his dad about a dream where he was married to his mum and his dad was now his grandfather.
Freud(1909) conclusion
Hans reached phallic stage - evidence of Oedipus complex: wanted an exclusive, sexual relationship with his mother and was jealous of his father.
The horse symbolised Han’s father, they both had big penises
Hans had castration anxiety - he was afraid he’d he castrated by his father if he found out about his feelings for his mother. This was symbolised by Han’s fear a horse would bite him
