Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

Assumptions

Answer 1

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

Question 2

ID

Answer 2

The ‘pleasure principle’. Made up of our primitive instincts to achieve instant gratification.

Question 3

The ego

Answer 3

The ‘reality principle’, acts as a mediator between the ID and superego.

Question 4

The super ego

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Basic Assumptions of the Psychodynamic Approach

Answer 5

1. The Unconscious Mind
2. Instincts and Drives
3. Childhood Experiences

Question 6

Basic Assumption: The Unconscious Mind

Answer 6

The belief that the unconscious mind is the driving force behind behaviour. A problem with behaviour can be cured by accessing the unconscious mind.

Question 7

Basic Assumption: Instincts and Drives

Answer 7

The idea that instincts or drives help motivate our behaviour. The psychosexual stages are influenced by instincts.

Question 8

Basic Assumption: Childhood Experiences

Answer 8

The belief that experiences as a child plays an important role in making the person the way they are.

Question 9

Defence Mechanisms

Answer 9

Methods used unconsciously to reduce anxiety. Anxiety weakens the ego which needs to be strong.

Question 10

Types of Defence Mechanisms - Repression

Answer 10

When an unpleasant memory is pushed into the unconscious where it cannot be accessed, but still can affect behaviour.

Question 11

Types of Defence Mechanisms - Denial

Answer 11

The refusal to accept the reality of a situation and reduces anxiety.

Question 12

Types of Defence Mechanisms - Displacement

Answer 12

When the focus of a strong emotion is expressed out onto someone or something else. Emotional expression reduces anxiety.

Question 13

The Psychosexual Stages

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Fixation

Answer 14

When a conflict occurs during one of the sexual stages then it can affect personality as an adult.

Question 15

The Oral Stage (birth to 18 months)

Answer 15

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

Question 16

The Anal Stage (18 months to 3 years )

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

The Phallic Stage ( 3 to 6 )

Answer 17

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

Question 18

The Oedipus Complex

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

The Electra Complex

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

The Latent Stage (6 to 11)

Answer 20

The libido is displaced throughout the body and the child can focus on being a child.

Question 21

how does freud believe he can access the unconscious mind?

Answer 21

Free association, hypnosis, and dream analysis

Question 22

What is psychoanalysis?

Answer 22

the therapist has the power to direct and mediate the patient to access the unconscious mind which contains the key to psychological disorders (neurosis)

Question 23

What is free association?

Answer 23

the client is encouraged to talk freely about their traumatic past experiences. This is known as the talking cure.

Question 24

What is dream analysis?

Answer 24

dreams are wish fulfilling. They contain repressed wishes desires and fears which have not been obtained in reality

Question 25

Limitations

Answer 25

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)

Question 26

Strengths

Answer 26

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.