Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
Psychodynamic Approach
A perspective that describes the different forces, most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience.
The Unconscious
The part of the mind that we are unaware of but which continues to direct much of our behaviour. Drives, instincts, repressed traumas etc.
Id
Entirely unconscious, the id is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification. Those with dominant ids are criminals etc.
Ego
The ‘reality check’ that balances the conflicting demands of the id and the superego.
Superego
The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self: how we ought to be.
Defence Mechanisms
Unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego (e.g. dreams).
Psychosexual Stages
Five developmental stages that all children pass through. At each stage there is a different conflict, the outcome of which determines future development.
Pleasure Principle
The drive to do things which produce pleasure or gratification, and to avoid pain. The id works on this.
Reality Principle
The drive to accommodate to the demands of the environment in a realistic way. The ego works on this.
Morality Principle
The drive to behave according to ideas of right and wrong and a social conscience.The superego works on this. Develops at around age 5.
Denial
A form of ego defence where the ego is protected by refusing to acknowledge painful realities, thoughts, or feelings.
Repression
A form of ego defence whereby anxiety-provoking material is kept out of conscious awareness as a means of coping.
Displacement
A form of ego defence where the individual unconsciously redirects the threatening emotion, from the person or thing that has caused it, onto a third party.
Fixation
A focus on a particular stage of psychosexual development because of over- or under-gratification during that stage.
Oral Stage
The first stage (0-18 months) of psychosexual development where the organ focus is on the mouth.
Oral Fixation
Gullible, nail biting, smoking, overeating.
Anal Stage
The second stage (18 months - 3 years) of psychosexual development when the organ focus is on the anus.
Anally Retentive
Perfectionist, obsessive. Anal fixation due to under-gratification.
Anally Expulsive
Thoughtless, messy. Anal fixation due to over-gratification.
Phallic Stage
The third stage of psychological development when the organ focus is on the genitals.
Oedipus Complex
Freud’s explanation of how a boy’s resolve his love for his mother and feelings of rivalry towards his father by identifying with his father.
Electra Complex
A term proposed by Carl Yung which refers to a process similar to the Oedipus Complex. In girls, an attraction to and envy of their father is resolved through identification with their mother.
Penis Envy
A girl’s recognition of not having a penis, and desire to have one.
Castration Anxiety
Experienced by boys fearful of their father finding out of their desire to have sex with their mother.
Genital Stage
The final stage of psychosexual development when the organ focus is again on the genitals but this time in relation to the onset of puberty and adult sexual relations.
Conscious
The immediate awareness.
Preconscious
Accessible memories.
Little Hans
A case study by Freud. A little boy who developed a phobia of horses.
Projection
Diverting emotions from their original source onto a more neutral, less dangerous one.
Projection
Diverting emotions from their original source onto a more neutral, less dangerous one. Ego defence mechanism.
Reaction Formation
Changing unacceptable wishes/desires/beliefs into the opposite in the conscious mind. Ego defence mechanism.
Regression
Engaging in behaviour which is representative of an earlier stage in childhood. Ego defence mechanism.
Sublimation
Redirection of unacceptable urges/desires into more socially acceptable/appropriate behaviours. Ego defence mechanism.
Rationalisation
Finding excuses/reason to justify an unacceptable behaviour/desire. Ego defence mechanism.
Assumptions
Human nature is inherently antisocial - we are animals driven by selfishness. Infants are born with innate biological drives (e.g. sex, food). We have 2 basic instincts: Eros (life drive) and Thanatos (death drive). Good behaviour requires effective socialisation. Early experience is critical, and determines us in adult life.
