psychodynamic perspective

Question 1

outline the two defining principles of the psychodynamic perspective

Answer 1

-our unconscious mind protects the conscious mind from uncomfortable thoughts and feelings through defence mechanisms. for example when an individual is feeling angry at someone they may displace that anger onto someone or something else
-childhood experiences have significant importance in determining our personality when we reach adulthood

Question 2

what are two weaknesses of this perspective

Answer 2

-impossible to test scientifically and is subjective
-uses case studies so harder to generalise

Question 3

explain how impossible to test scientifically and being subjective is a weakness

Answer 3

Therefore analysis is subjective, based on opinion and open to bias. For example when Freud studied little Hans he already has developed his theory of stages of development and the oedipus complex and had a desire to find evidence to support his theory. In order to gain access to little hans unconcous mind a number of observations had to be made. Freuds beliefs could have caused bias in the interpretations of those observations

Question 4

explain how using case studies is a weakness

Answer 4

the perspectives use of case studies to analyse individuals dysfunctional behaviour are considered unscientific. It is hard to generalise from the small samples studied in case studies. In kohlberg the majority of data was collected via a longitudinal case study of 75 american boys. This sample only possess a small range of characteristics and therefore the moral development of these boys should not be generalised to girls or boys of other countries

Question 5

what three studies link to this perspective

Answer 5

freud and kohlberg and hancock

Question 6

what are two strengths of this study

Answer 6

-can be used to explain a wide variety of behaviours
-can suggest treatments such as psychoanalysis

Question 7

explain how this perspective explaining a wide variety of behaviours can be considered a strength

Answer 7

it can explain phobias, dreams and anxieties associated with a phobia. In Hancocks study it was found that psychopaths struggled to describe an emotional event and seemed much more emotionally detached in their language differences between psychopaths and non psychopathic homicide offenders and are likely beyond conscious control.

Question 8

explain how suggesting treatments can be a strength

Answer 8

In Freuds study of little Hans he suggested that Hans fear of horses was a displaced fear of his father due to him experiencing the Oedipus complex. once Freud made Hans aware of this belief Freud suggested that he no longer suffered this anxiety

Question 9

what is one application of this perspective

Answer 9

using psychoanalysis to treat disorders such as phobias

Question 10

explain this application

Answer 10

Using psychoanalysis to treat disorders such as phobias. This could be done by the therapist talking to the patient about childhood experiences and dreams they have to accesses the unconscious mind. They focus on the unconscious fears or traumatic experiences. Then the therapist will tell the patient the cause in a careful and sympathetic way. This would then cure the disorder. his all links to the psychodynamic perspective as it shows how behaviour is influenced by the unconscious mind and therefore causes some disorders