Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
Assumptions
1) Conscious- what we are aware of
2) Pre-conscious- memories and thoughts we are not currently aware of but can be accessed
3) Unconscious-we are unaware of the contents but it stores vast amounts of biological drives and instincts that influence our behaviour
ID
The ‘pleasure principle’. Made up of our primitive instincts to achieve instant gratification.
The ego
The ‘reality principle’, acts as a mediator between the ID and superego.
The super ego
The ‘morality principle’. Our internalised sense of right and wrong that punishes the ego through guilt. Freud suggested that if this is overactive it can lead to depression.
Basic Assumptions of the Psychodynamic Approach
- The Unconscious Mind
- Instincts and Drives
- Childhood Experiences
Basic Assumption: The Unconscious Mind
The belief that the unconscious mind is the driving force behind behaviour. A problem with behaviour can be cured by accessing the unconscious mind.
Basic Assumption: Instincts and Drives
The idea that instincts or drives help motivate our behaviour. The psychosexual stages are influenced by instincts.
Basic Assumption: Childhood Experiences
The belief that experiences as a child plays an important role in making the person the way they are.
Defence Mechanisms
Methods used unconsciously to reduce anxiety. Anxiety weakens the ego which needs to be strong.
Types of Defence Mechanisms - Repression
When an unpleasant memory is pushed into the unconscious where it cannot be accessed, but still can affect behaviour.
Types of Defence Mechanisms - Denial
The refusal to accept the reality of a situation and reduces anxiety.
Types of Defence Mechanisms - Displacement
When the focus of a strong emotion is expressed out onto someone or something else. Emotional expression reduces anxiety.
The Psychosexual Stages
The stages of development that individuals progress through from birth to puberty. It involves an unconscious sexual drive and can affect behavior as an adult.
Fixation
When a conflict occurs during one of the sexual stages then it can affect personality as an adult.
The Oral Stage (birth to 18 months)
A child seeks pleasure from sucking and biting. Freud claimed that a fixation can occur if a child is taken off their mothers milk early. If they are orally fixated A person is more likely to chew on pens, bite fingernails and smoke. If they are orally passive they are likely to be more dependent, passive and gullible
The Anal Stage (18 months to 3 years )
The libido moves from the mouth to the anus and babies seek pleasure through defecating. This is the approximate age for potty training.
Anal Expulsive:
As a child they love to use the potty.As an adult they will be generous and display their emotions.
Anal Retentive
strict about potty training then the child is likely to try and hold onto their faeces rather than use the potty. As an adult they are likely to be organised, neat and don’t like spending money.
The Phallic Stage ( 3 to 6 )
The libido moves from the anus to the genitals. This is when they discover gender. Freud claimed that boys and girls go through different stages. Boys go through the Oedipus complex and girls go through the Electra complex
The Oedipus Complex
They develop sexual feelings for their mother and form a rivalry with their father. The boy fears his father and jealous of him for receiving his mothers love.
The Electra Complex
Girls develop penis envy of boys and believe that their mother has removed theirs. They have a desire for a penis but this soon turns into a desire for a baby. The also need to go through the identification process to resolve their complex.
The Latent Stage (6 to 11)
The libido is displaced throughout the body and the child can focus on being a child.
how does freud believe he can access the unconscious mind?
Free association, hypnosis, and dream analysis
What is psychoanalysis?
the therapist has the power to direct and mediate the patient to access the unconscious mind which contains the key to psychological disorders (neurosis)
What is free association?
the client is encouraged to talk freely about their traumatic past experiences. This is known as the talking cure.
What is dream analysis?
dreams are wish fulfilling. They contain repressed wishes desires and fears which have not been obtained in reality
Limitations
it is unscientific in its analysis of human behaviour
Unfalsifiable
Simplifying the human mind into the id, ego, and superego and the five psychosexual stages make the approach reductionist.
Too deterministic
Ignores mediational processes (e.g., thinking)
Strengths
It has given rise to one of the first “talking cure,” psychoanalysis, on which many psychological therapies are now based.
highlights the importance of childhood in mental health
Psychodynamic approach takes into account both sides of the Nature/Nurture debate.
