Psychodynamic assumptions

Question 1

What is the unconscious mind assumption?

Answer 1

• Behaviour can be explained by the unconscious mind
• Based on Freud’s iceberg analogy of the conscious;(rational, logical thoughts)
• preconscious, (what we’d be aware of if we thought about it such as memories;
• unconscious which is inaccessible (traumatic experiences etc)

Question 2

What is the example for the unconscious mind assumption?

Answer 2

• Defence mechanisms that the ego employs to protect itself
• Regression is employing child-like behaviours in times of distress.
• Repression is pushing an experience into the unconscious so it’s forgotten
• Projection is shifting an undesirable trait onto someone else
• Displacement is shifting an undesirable emotion aimed at one person to another

Question 3

What is the tripartite model assumption?

Answer 3

Behaviour can be explained by the tripartite model of personality.
The ID behaves according to the pleasure principle (instant gratification)
The ego behaves according to the reality principle and represents reason, deals with competing demands of ID and superego.
The superego behaves according to the morality principle (the ‘ideal’ force)

Question 4

What is the example for the tripartite model assumption?

Answer 4

Consequences of a weak ego and a dominant ID include criminal behaviour (theft, rape, murder)
Dominant superego could result in OCD

Question 5

What is the childhood experiences assumption?

Answer 5

Behaviour can be influenced by childhood experiences.
5 psychosexual stages
Oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital.
Fixations in the stages can affect adult personality.

Question 6

What is the libido?

Answer 6

Sexual or psychic energy is focused on a different body part.

Question 7

What is the phallic example for the childhood experiences assumption?

Answer 7

Fixations/adult personality of other oral, anal, genital
Phallic stage: ages 3-6, libido focus and immature interest in genitals.
Superego created by the resolution of the Oedipus/Electra complex.
Healthy development = moral superego and internalisation of the same-sex parent.
No fixations =, a good and long-lasting relationship can be formed.

Question 8

What is the Oedipus compex?

Answer 8

Proposed by Freud
Boy views his father as a rival after developing sexual desires for his mother.
Child then identifies with his father and takes in his attributes.
Projected into desires for other women and fixation is resolved by the superego