Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
Assumptions of psychodynamic approach
-Behaviour is determined by unconscious mental processes.
-Trauma can significantly influence our behaviour.
-Early childhood experiences helps develop the adult personality.
-Psychoanalysis as a therapy can uncover the unconscious mind.
What is the main focus of Psychoanalysis?
Unconscious assumptions
According to psychoanalysis, what childhood experiences help develop the adult personality?
Early childhood experiences
What is a key factor that influences personality development in psychoanalysis?
Trauma
Name the stages of psychosexual development.
- Oral
- Anal
- Phallic
- Latent
- Genital
What is the focus of the Oral stage in psychosexual development?
Stimulating mouth, trust vs mistrust, age 1
What is the primary task during the Anal stage?
Toilet training, self control, autonomy vs shame, age 1-4
What occurs during the Phallic stage?
Genitals, Oedipus (m) / Electra (f) complex, 3-5, subconsciously sexually attracted to M/F and hostile to other parent.
What happens during the Latent stage of development?
Sexual urges turn to hobbies, ages 6-12
What characterizes the Genital stage?
Sexual feelings return during puberty
Who is Little Hans and what was significant about his case?
Stuck in phallic stage, father as competition, fixated on mother —> strong Oedipus
- Freud met boy once
What evidence did Fisher and Greenberg find in relation to psychoanalysis?
Evidence of defense mechanisms + theory of personality
What does the Id represent in Freud’s model of personality?
Pleasure principle
Birth—> ‘all children are born evil’
No consideration for others/rules
What is the function of the Ego?
Reality principle, balances Id and Superego, age 2
What does the Superego represent?
Morality principle
Always does good
Age 5
What is the Thanatos instinct?
Death instinct
Define repression as a defense mechanism.
Prevent emotions from coming to consciousness
What is denial in the context of defense mechanisms?
Refusal to accept that events happened
What is displacement in terms of defense mechanisms?
Taking emotions out on something/one else
What is a criticism of Freud’s view on women?
No consideration of unconscious memories regarding sexuality
What is a weakness of psychoanalysis according to the text?
Not testable
Theory of unconscious
-Iceberg theory
-Concious: thoughts
-Preconcious: memories
-Unconscious: fears + trauma
Strengths of approach
Applications of therapy and psychoanalysis which can explain many aspects of human behaviour outside realm of psychology
