Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

Main assumptions

Answer 1

-unconscious forces in our mind determine our thoughts, feelings and behaviour
-Our behaviour as adults is strongly influenced by our childhood experiences
-Abnormal behaviour is the result of mental conflict
-The mind can be divided into 3 levels of consciousness

Question 2

3 levels of consciousness

Answer 2

-Conscious
-Preconscious
-Unconscious

Question 3

Conscious mind

Answer 3

The small amount of mental activity we know about. It is responsible for dealing with our everyday actions of the present

Question 4

Preconscious mind

Answer 4

Things we could be aware of if we tried or wanted to. Responsible for storing easily accessible memory and past events

Question 5

Unconscious mind

Answer 5

-Things we are unaware of and can not become aware of. Stores all our experiences, especially those of a traumatic or unpleasant nature

(This is where Freud said our conflicts and issue arise which results in abnormal behaviour)

Question 6

Tripartite model of the personality- Key components

Answer 6

-The ID
-The Ego
-The Superego

Question 7

When does the ID develop

Answer 7

-Present from birth

Question 8

When does the Ego develop

Answer 8

• 2-3 years old

Question 9

When does the Superego develop

Answer 9

-4-5 yearsold

Question 10

ID

Answer 10

The impulsive and unconcious part of the personality, that demands immediate satisfaction , referred to as the pleasure principle.

It’s motivated to satisfy the following instinctual pleasures: Sex, food and drink. It becomes aggressive if frustrated

Question 11

Ego

Answer 11

-The conscious, rational part of the mind.

-Its function is to work out realistic ways of balancing the demands of the ID and superego in a socially acceptable way. It is governed by the reality principles

Question 12

Superego

Answer 12

-Embodies the child’s sense of right and wrong as well as his or her ideal self. It seeks to perfect and civilise our behaviour and is learned through identification with one’s parents.

-It is governed by the morality principle - the need to behave in a way that our parents would approve of. When we don’t, it punishes us with anxiety and quilt

Question 13

What are ego defence mechanisms

Answer 13

-Unconscious strategies used by the ego to protect itself from anxiety and conflict between the id, superego, and reality. They help manage internal stress and maintain psychological balance, often by distorting reality.

Question 14

Denial

Answer 14

-The unconscious refusal to accept reality

Question 15

Displacement

Answer 15

-Taking the anger/ unacceptable impulse and divert it from its source onto someone else

Question 16

Repression

Answer 16

-Burying the problem Ito the unconsciousness so that you no longer think about them

Question 17

Projection

Answer 17

-Disguising their own threatening impulses by pinning them onto other people

Question 18

Key psychologist in the psychodynamic approach

Answer 18

Freud

Question 19

What can happen if ego defence mechanisms are overused (used for the ong term instead of short term)

Answer 19

They can be helpful short-term, but unhealthy if overused, leading to distorted thinking and emotional problems.

Question 20

What principle of is the ID based on

Answer 20

The pleasure principle

Question 21

What principle is the ego based on

Answer 21

The reality principle

Question 22

What principle is the superego based on

Answer 22

The morality principle

Question 23

What are Freud’s psychosexual stages of development

Answer 23

-A series of five stages during childhood where the libido focuses on different erogenous zones

-oral stage
-anal stage
-phallic stage
-latency
-genital stage

Question 24

What happens if conflict is unresolved at a psychosexual stage?

Answer 24

The individual becomes fixated, leading to specific adult personality traits.

Question 25

What is the first psychosexual stage and its age range?

Answer 25

Oral stage (0–1 year).

Question 26

What is the erogenous zone in the oral stage?

Answer 26

The mouth (sucking, biting, feeding).

Question 27

What is the key conflict in the oral stage?

Answer 27

Weaning off breastfeeding/bottle feeding.

Question 28

What can fixation at the oral stage lead to?

Answer 28

Smoking, nail-biting, overeating, dependency, sarcasm.

Question 29

What is the focus of pleasure in the anal stage?

Answer 29

The anus – controlling bowel movements.

Question 30

What is the key conflict in the anal stage?

Answer 30

Toilet training and learning self-control.

Question 31

What traits result from anal retentive fixation?

Answer 31

Obsessiveness, stubbornness, perfectionism.

Question 32

What traits result from anal expulsive fixation?

Answer 32

Messiness, disorganisation, generosity.

Question 33

What is the third psychosexual stage and its age range?

Answer 33

Phallic stage (3–6 years).

Question 34

What is the second psychosexual stage and its age range?

Answer 34

Anal stage (1–3 years).

Question 35

What is the erogenous zone in the phallic stage?

Answer 35

The genitals.

Question 36

What is the key conflict in the phallic stage (for boys)?

Answer 36

The Oedipus complex – unconscious desire for mother and rivalry with father.

Question 37

What is the Electra complex?

Answer 37

A girl’s unconscious desire for her father and rivalry with her mother (penis envy).

Question 38

What happens if the Oedipus/Electra complex is resolved?

Answer 38

The child identifies with the same-sex parent and internalises their morals (formation of superego).

Question 39

What are the effects of fixation at the phallic stage?

Answer 39

Vanity, narcissism, sexual anxiety, or recklessness.

Question 40

What is the fourth psychosexual stage and its age range?

Answer 40

Latency stage (6–12 years).

Question 41

What happens to sexual energy during the latency stage?

Answer 41

It is repressed; focus is on social and intellectual development.

Question 42

Are there any fixations in the latency stage?

Answer 42

No – it is a period of relative calm with no specific conflict.

Question 43

What is the fifth psychosexual stage and its age range?

Answer 43

Genital stage (12+ years).

Question 44

What is the focus in the genital stage?

Answer 44

Mature adult sexuality and forming intimate relationships. (Sexual desires become conscious)

Question 45

What indicates healthy development in the genital stage?

Answer 45

The ability to form balanced, loving relationships and a stable personality.

Question 46

What causes difficulty in the genital stage?

Answer 46

If earlier fixations remain unresolved, they affect adult sexual behaviour and relationships.

Question 47

What is meant by fixation

Answer 47

occurs when a child receives too much or too little gratification during a psychosexual stage, leading to long-term consequences for personality and behaviour in adulthood.

Question 48

Example of projection

Answer 48

A person who is jealous of a friend’s success insists that the friend is envious of them.

Question 49

Example of repression

Answer 49

A survivor of abuse may unconsciously block out the memory of the trauma.

Question 50

Example of denial

Answer 50

A person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness refuses to accept the diagnosis.

Question 51

example of displacement \\\\\

Answer 51

After being told off by a teacher, a student slams their locker door.

Question 52

Evaluation of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 52

-Real world application -Lacks scientific credibility -Gender bias within the approach

Question 53

What real world application does the psychodynamic approach have

Answer 53

Development of psychoanalysis by Freud

Question 54

What is psychoanalysis

Answer 54

-A talking therapy developed by Freud. It was the first psychological treatment for mental disorders, aiming to uncover unconscious conflicts, often from childhood, that cause emotional problems. -It uses techniques like free association (say first thing that comes to mind) and dream analysis to explore hidden thoughts, anxieties, and traumas, helping people gain insight and reduce distress.

Question 55

Why does the psychodynamic approach lack scientific credibility

Answer 55

-Many of its core concepts, E.G the unconscious mind, the id, and repression, are unfalsifiable- they cannot be tested or disproved through scientific methods. -This makes the approach unscientific according to the standards of empirical psychology. E.G the Oedipus complex is based on subjective interpretation and cannot be directly observed or measured. -Freud’s theories also largely based on retrospective case studies, E.G Little Hans, which are difficult to replicate and rely heavily on the analyst’s interpretation. -Means its ideas cannot be objectively tested or supported by measurable evidence- criticised for not being a truly scientific theory.

Question 56

Why is the psychodynamic approach gender biased

Answer 56

-Freud controversially argued that women are essentially “failed men”, which implies that female development is inferior or incomplete compared to males. -E.G Concepts like penis envy reinforce this sexist viewpoint by suggesting women feel inherently lacking. Also, the female counterpart to the Oedipus complex—the Electra complex—is less developed and lacks empirical support, showing a clear bias toward male psychology as the norm. =Oversimplifies and undervalues female psychological development, reducing its credibility and relevance in explaining gender differences today.