Psychodynamic approaches - Freud Flashcards
Define approach
Refers to a single theory developed by an individual that practises psychotherapy e.g. Freud’s psychoanalysis
Define school
Group of similar approaches e.g. psychodynamic
According to Bennet (2011), what does an alternative to the medical model have to consider?
Social and psychological factors and make the focus of the treatment be the individual
Describe psychological formulation
-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
What are the 3 main parts of Freud’s theory?
-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
What is an instinct and what are the two types?
-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
Describe the Id
-Unconscious
-‘Pleasure principle’
-Controls selfish urges and demands instant gratification
-Conflict with Id can create neurotic behaviour (fear of strength)
Describe the ego
-Unconscious/preconscious and conscious
-’Reality principle’
-Rational, sensible and realistic
-Conflict with ego can create realistic behaviour (fear of dangers in world)
Describe the super ego
-Conscious/preconscious
-’Morality principle’
-Learning right from wrong/moral standards
-Conflict with superego can create moral behaviour (fear of conscience)
Define cathexis
Refers to the libido’s charge of energy that invests itself into a certain thing
Define oedipus complex
The father is viewed as a rival for the mothers love as the boy desires the mother
He gains castration anxiety
Feelings become repressed
Define electra complex
Girl notices differences in gender and gets penis envy
Sees father as a potential impregnator
Fears loss if mothers love
Feelings becomes repressed
Describe the oral stage
-0-2 years
-Libido pleasure comes from sucking, biting and tasting
-Personality characteristics include dependence, depression, guilt, eating trouble
Describe the anal stage
-2-3 years
-Libido pleasure comes from elimination of faeces
-Personality characteristics include obsessive behaviours creating tidiness and stubborness
Describe the phallic stage
-3-6 years
-Libido pleasure comes from self manipulation of genitals
-Personality characteristics include being antisocial and aggressive
Describe the latency stage
-6-12 years
-Libido pleasure comes from sexual inhibitions and socialisation
-Personality characteristics include lack of self control
Describe the genital stage
-12+ years
-Libido pleasure comes from development of adult sexuality
-Personality characteristics include identity diffusion
State the 7 different defence mechanisms
-Repression
-Reaction formation
-Regression
-Denial
-Projection
-Sublimation
-Displacement
Describe repression
A way of preventing unacceptable thoughts from going into consciousness
Describe reaction formation
Unconsciously replacing an unwanted feeling with the opposite e.g. a boy bullying a girl due to him liking her
Describe regression
Movement back in time when an individual felt under immense stress e.g. a child sucking their thumb when being shouted at
Describe denial
Refusing to face reality
Describe projection
Attributing own unacceptable thoughts to another individual e.g. you may be insecure about yourself and so you pick at others appearances
Describe sublimation
Channeling aggressive thoughts in a socially acceptable way e.g. boxing
Describe displacement
Directing negative energy towards something else
