Psychodynamic approach

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Behaviour determined by unconscious forces that we cannot control

Question 2

Components to it

Answer 2

Role of unconscious
Structure of personality
Psychosexual stages

Question 3

Evaluation

Answer 3

Explanatory power
Case study method
Untestable concepts
Practical application in psychoanalysis
Psychic determinism denies our free will

Question 4

Role of the unconscious

Answer 4

Conscious mind ‘tip of the iceberg’

Question 5

Structure of the personality

Answer 5

id, ego, superego

Question 6

Psychosexual stages

Answer 6

Five stages, different conflict a each stage

Question 7

Id

Answer 7

Entirely unconscious, made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification. Therefore operates on the pleasure principle, found in babies.

Question 8

Ego

Answer 8

‘Reality check’ that balances conflicting demands of Id and superego. Works on reality principle and has a number of defence mechanisms.

Question 9

Superego

Answer 9

Moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self. This is formed at end of the phallic stage at age 5.

Question 10

Stage 1 of psychosexual stages

Answer 10

Oral 0-1 years. Focus of pleasure on the mouth and mothers breast is object of desire. If not resolved can lead to smoking, sarcasm and being critical.

Question 11

Stage 2 of psychosexual stages

Answer 11

Anal 1-3 years. Focus of pleasure is anus. Child gains pleasure from withholding and expelling faeces.

Question 12

Stage 3 of psychosexual stages

Answer 12

Phallic 3-5 years. Focus of pleasure is genital area. Child experiences Oedipus or electra complex. Phallic personality: narcissistic, reckless, possibly homosexual

Question 13

Latency stage

Answer 13

Earlier conflicts repressed

Question 14

Genital stage (last stage)

Answer 14

Sexual desires become conscious alongside onset of puberty. Can lead to difficulty forming heterosexual relationships.