Psychodynamic approaches - Freud

Question 1

Define approach

Answer 1

Refers to a single theory developed by an individual that practises psychotherapy e.g. Freud’s psychoanalysis

Question 2

Define school

Answer 2

Group of similar approaches e.g. psychodynamic

Question 3

According to Bennet (2011), what does an alternative to the medical model have to consider?

Answer 3

Social and psychological factors and make the focus of the treatment be the individual

Question 4

Describe psychological formulation

Answer 4

-Main aims involve trying to figure out what has led to the troubles of the patient
-Used to provide a coherent set of explanations for behaviour that can help to infer treatments
-Takes theoretical approach
-Johnstone (2018) suggests that it is a ‘best guess’ about origins of a person’s difficulties

Question 5

What are the 3 main parts of Freud’s theory?

Answer 5

-Conscious - thoughts that we are aware of at all times
-Pre-conscious - memories that we are currently unaware of but can be brought back to the conscious when needed
-Unconscious - experiences that we are unaware of and tends to go ‘untouched’, and this is what is said to be influencing our behaviours

Question 6

What is an instinct and what are the two types?

Answer 6

-An instinct is source of energy in behaviour that makes up dynamics of personality
-Eros (libido) which is the life instinct
-Thanatos (destructive) which is the death instinct

Question 7

Describe the Id

Answer 7

-Unconscious
-‘Pleasure principle’
-Controls selfish urges and demands instant gratification
-Conflict with Id can create neurotic behaviour (fear of strength)

Question 8

Describe the ego

Answer 8

-Unconscious/preconscious and conscious
-’Reality principle’
-Rational, sensible and realistic
-Conflict with ego can create realistic behaviour (fear of dangers in world)

Question 9

Describe the super ego

Answer 9

-Conscious/preconscious
-’Morality principle’
-Learning right from wrong/moral standards
-Conflict with superego can create moral behaviour (fear of conscience)

Question 10

Define cathexis

Answer 10

Refers to the libido’s charge of energy that invests itself into a certain thing

Question 11

Define oedipus complex

Answer 11

The father is viewed as a rival for the mothers love as the boy desires the mother
He gains castration anxiety
Feelings become repressed

Question 12

Define electra complex

Answer 12

Girl notices differences in gender and gets penis envy
Sees father as a potential impregnator
Fears loss if mothers love
Feelings becomes repressed

Question 13

Describe the oral stage

Answer 13

-0-2 years
-Libido pleasure comes from sucking, biting and tasting
-Personality characteristics include dependence, depression, guilt, eating trouble

Question 14

Describe the anal stage

Answer 14

-2-3 years
-Libido pleasure comes from elimination of faeces
-Personality characteristics include obsessive behaviours creating tidiness and stubborness

Question 15

Describe the phallic stage

Answer 15

-3-6 years
-Libido pleasure comes from self manipulation of genitals
-Personality characteristics include being antisocial and aggressive

Question 16

Describe the latency stage

Answer 16

-6-12 years
-Libido pleasure comes from sexual inhibitions and socialisation
-Personality characteristics include lack of self control

Question 17

Describe the genital stage

Answer 17

-12+ years
-Libido pleasure comes from development of adult sexuality
-Personality characteristics include identity diffusion

Question 18

State the 7 different defence mechanisms

Answer 18

-Repression
-Reaction formation
-Regression
-Denial
-Projection
-Sublimation
-Displacement

Question 19

Describe repression

Answer 19

A way of preventing unacceptable thoughts from going into consciousness

Question 20

Describe reaction formation

Answer 20

Unconsciously replacing an unwanted feeling with the opposite e.g. a boy bullying a girl due to him liking her

Question 21

Describe regression

Answer 21

Movement back in time when an individual felt under immense stress e.g. a child sucking their thumb when being shouted at

Question 22

Describe denial

Answer 22

Refusing to face reality

Question 23

Describe projection

Answer 23

Attributing own unacceptable thoughts to another individual e.g. you may be insecure about yourself and so you pick at others appearances

Question 24

Describe sublimation

Answer 24

Channeling aggressive thoughts in a socially acceptable way e.g. boxing

Question 25

Describe displacement

Answer 25

Directing negative energy towards something else