psychodynamic approach evaluation

Question 1

why is the explanatory power of the approach a strength

Answer 1

although Freud’s theory is controversial in many ways, and occasionally bizarre , it has nevertheless had a huge influence on psychology and Western contemporary thought

behaviorism and psychodynamic approach remained the dominant force for the first half if the 20th century and has been used to explain a wider range if phenomenal :

1. personality development
2. abnormalbbehaviour
3. moral development
4. gender

The approach is also useful in explaining connection between experiences in childhood, such as our relationship with our parents, and later development

Question 2

Freud’s theory is based on case studies, why is this a limitation to the psychodynamic approach

Answer 2

Freud’s theory was based on the intensive study of single individuals who were often in therapy
e.g. Little Hans,Dora, Rat - man

Although Freuds observations wee detailed and carefully recorded, critics have suggested that it is not possible to make such universal claims about human nature based on studies of such a smaller number of individuals who were psychologically abnormal

Furthermore, Freud’s interpretations were highly subjective, it is unlikely, in the case if Little Hans for instance, that any other researcher would have drawn to the same conclusion

Question 3

Freud’s methods are also lacked scientific rigour and are untestable, why is this a limitation

Answer 3

Freund’s methods also lacked scientific rigour compared to other approached

Philosopher of science Karl Popper argued that the psychodynamic approach does not meet the scientific criterion of falsification, in the sense it is not open to empirical testing

Many of Freud,s concepts e.g. id and Oedipus complex re said to occur at an unconscious level, making them difficult, if not impossible to test

Popper therefore calls the psychodynamic theory the study of pseudoscience (“fake” science) rather than real science

Question 4

what does it mean when we say that the psychodynamic approach has practical application (strength)

Answer 4

Alongside the theoretical basis of the psychodynamic approach Freud also brought to the world one form of therapy:
psychoanalysis

psychoanalysis employs a range of techniques designed to access the unconscious such as hypnosis and dream analysis

psychoanalysis is the frontrunner to many modern day psychotherapies

Freudian therapies have claimed success with many patients suffering mild neuroses, psychoanalysis has been deemed inappropriate, even harmful, for people suffering more saviour mental disorders e.g. schizophrenia

Question 5

what is the physic determinism of the psycho dynamic approach

Answer 5

Freud believed in relation to human behaviour, that there was no such thing as an “accident”.

even “!slip of the tongue” is driven by unconscious forces and ha symbolic meaning

The psychodynamic approach explains all behaviour, even accidents, as determined by the unconscious conflicts, that are rooted in childhood such that any free we may think we have is an illusion

Question 6

what is the difference/ similarities between the psychodynamic approach and the biological approach

Answer 6

biological approach suggests that instead the unconscious is not driving behaviour

Biological psychologists believe we are under the control of or caused by internal biological factors. 
These factors are:
1. hormones
2.brain structure 
3.neurochmistry

Question 7

what is the difference/ similarities between the psychodynamic approach and the behaviorist approach

Answer 7

Behaviourists believe all events are caused or determined by past experience and controlled by external forced in the environment such as reinforcement and punishment - free will is an illusion (similar to the psychodynamic approach)
by the complexity of our learning experiences

We are passively shaped through conditioning. Humans respond to reinforcement in the environment - we repeat what has been rewarded and avoid what could lead to punishment