Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

What is the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

A perspective that describes the different forces (dynamics), most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience

Question 2

What did Freud say about the role of the unconscious in determining human behaviour?

Answer 2

Conscious mind = tip of the iceberg
Most of mind = unconscious - contains biological drives and instincts that drive behaviour + repressed memories
Preconscious mind is just under conscious mind and can sometimes be seen in dreams or slips of the tongue

Question 3

What did Freud say about the structure of personality?

Answer 3

It was tripartite - made up of three parts;
Id
Ego
Superego

Question 4

What is the id?

Answer 4

Entirely unconscious the Id is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification - operates on the pleasure principle, get want it wants
(babies only have an id)

Question 5

What is the ego?

Answer 5

The ‘reality check’ that balances the conflicting demands of the id and superego - works on the reality principle - develops around age 2 - uses defence mechanisms to mediate between the id and superego

Question 6

What are defence mechanisms?

Answer 6

Unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego

Question 7

What is the superego?

Answer 7

The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self: how we ought to be - forms at the end of the phallic stage around age 5 - is our internalised sense of right and wrong - based on the morality principle

Question 8

What are Freud’s psychosexual stages?

Answer 8

According to Freud, five developmental stages that all children pass through. At most stage there is a specific conflict which’s outcome determines future development

Question 9

What are the 5 psychosexual stages?

Answer 9

1. Oral - 0-1 - mouth is focus of pleasure - desire mothers breast - if unresolved - oral fixations - smoking
2. Anal - 1-3 - anus is focus of pleasure - pleasure from expelling faeces - if unresolved - anal retentive, perfectionist - or - anal expulsive, messy
3. Phallic - 3-5 - genitals are focus of pleasure - Oedipus and Electra complex here - if unresolved - narcissistic, reckless maybe homosexual
4. Latency - earlier conflicts repressed
5. Genital - sexual desires become conscious at puberty occurs - if unresolved - difficulty forming heterosexual relationships

Question 10

Which stage is the odd one out and why?

Answer 10

The Latency stage bc there is no conflict to be resolved here

Question 11

What are the evaluation points for the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 11

+ Explanatory Power
- Case Study Method
- Untestable Concepts
+ Practical Applications

Question 12

Why does the theory have good explanatory power?

Answer 12

While controversial the theory was influential - dominant for 1st half of 20th century - used to explain a wide range of behaviour like; personality development, abnormal behaviour and moral development

Question 13

Why does the theory have poor case study methodology?

Answer 13

Freud’s studies were intense and detailed but of single individuals often in therapy - Little Hans - can’t make universal claims from them consequently + Freud’s interpretations were highly subjective - not replicable

Question 14

How does the theory have untestable concepts?

Answer 14

Many of Freud’s concepts like the Id, Ego and Superego occur at an unconscious lvl - not testable - can’t be falsified - not a proper science according to Popper

Question 15

What practical applications does the theory have?

Answer 15

The theory later led to a new therapy - psychoanalysis - while this has since been criticised it led to the development of new affective therapies - positive