psychodynamic perspective

Question 1

what are the defining principles and concepts of the psychodynamic perspective?

Answer 1

behaviour is strongly influenced by the drives of
the unconscious mind

our unconscious mind protects the conscious mind from uncomfortable thoughts and feelings through defence mechanisms

Question 2

what are the relevant studies associated with the psychodynamic perspective?

Answer 2

Freud : psychoanalysis of hans’ phobia, displaced unconscious fear of father coming from Oedipus complex

Hancock: language of psychopaths reveal their unconscious thoughts and desires in their language

Question 3

what is an application of the psychodynamic perspective?

Answer 3

the use of psychoanalysis to treat disorders such as phobias

Question 4

what are the strengths of the psychodynamic perspective?

Answer 4

can be used to explain a wide variety of behaviours including dreams, phobias and other disorders

useful as it can suggest treatments such as psychoanalysis

Question 5

what are the weaknesses of the psychodynamic perspective?

Answer 5

unscientific as the theory about the unconscious mind and the Oedipus complex are impossible to test scientifically

use of case studies leads to low population validity