psychodynamic explanation of aggression - Freud

Question 1

unconcious mind - P1, A01

Answer 1

Freud explains that aggression arises from the unconscious mind
the unconscious mind is the part of the mind containing thoughts, memories an desires of which we are unaware
it is an active processor of its contents which requires a lot of psychic energy to keep them unconscious
it is the origin of powerful aggressive instincts
even if we are not thinking aggressive thoughts, our behaviour may still be influenced by aggressive urges that are ‘hidden’ in the unconscious mind

Question 2

strength of unconscious mind, case study evidence - P1, A03

Answer 2

One strength of Freud’s theory of aggression is that he used evidence from case studies such as Anna O/Burnt pudding/little Hans to support his ideas about the unconscious and Superego development.
Freud believed that Anna O’s symptoms resulted from repressed memories and traumas and talking about these symptoms could alleviate her symptoms
therefore, these case studies can support the nature of the unconscious mind.

Question 3

COUNTER ARGUMENT TO strength of unconscious mind, case study evidence - P1, A03

Answer 3

However, findings from case studies of unique individuals are harder to generalise to everyone and to draw a universal theory from, which may serve to undermine Freud’s theory of aggression.

Question 4

Id, Ego and superego - P2, A01

Answer 4

Freud explains that aggression arises from intrapsychic conflict between the Id, ego and superego
The Id is the pleasure principle within the brain which exists from birth and is the most primitive part of the unconscious mind. it is the origin of the energy, that motivates all of our behaviour (including aggression), unnacceptable instincts, impulses and drives. The Id obeys the pleasure principle - immediate gratification of desires, no consideration of other factors such as social reality, making aggression unavoidable and inevitable
The ego emerges after 1-2 years and is the reality principle within the brain which is logical, rational and a mostly conscious part of personality. it follows the reality principle as the interface between the unrealistic desires of the Id and social reality. the ego satisfies the id by fulfilling its urges indirectly and symbolically
the superego fulfil the role of sensing right and wrong and the ideal image we have of ourselves and want to live up to. it opposes the id’s destructive aggressive drive through guilt

Question 5

scientific evidence for the id, ego and superego - P2, A03

Answer 5

Scientific evidence for these parts of the personality comes from Divino and Moore, who found that only the right hemisphere of the brain is fully functional at birth and remains dominant for the first 2-3 years of life, meaning that infants develop patters of emotional communication prior to developing the left-hemisphere-based verbal skills, when the left hemisphere becomes fully functional around the third year. This means that there could be crucial memories from early childhood which may be stored in the right hemisphere but cannot be put into words by the left hemisphere even though these memories may still affect our emotions.
Therefore, this means that the idea of the unconscious mind (left hemisphere) influencing the conscious mind (right hemisphere) can be seen through brain development at a young age

Question 6

cathartic - P3, A01

Answer 6

Freud explains that aggression can be cathartic
Cathartic is when aggression is expressed which satisfies an instinctive drive
for example, venting anger is cathartic because it releases psychic energy, reduces the aggressive drive and makes further aggression less likely
preventing catharsis builds up energy, producing destructive aggression directed inwards (self-harm) or outwards (assault)

Question 7

alternative explanation of cathartic aggression - P3, A03

Answer 7

However, Bandura’s argues that social learning theory suggests that aggression is learned from watching others and far from this being cathartic it actually leads to aggression therefore this alternative explanation offers a different perspective and further problems with Freud’s theory of aggression.

Question 8

logical chain of reasoning for alternative explanation of cathartic aggression - P3, A03

Answer 8

furthermore, Bandura’s theory of aggression has empirical evidence to support it in the form of an experiment whereby children were observed to copy the aggressive behaviour displayed by an adult in the Bobo doll study (1961)
therefore this theory can be seen as more scientifically robust compared to the Freudian explanation of aggression.