PSYCHODYNAMIC SCHOOL Flashcards
Define Psychodynamics
- Theory or systematic study of psychological forced that underlie human behaviour especially the dynamic relationship between conscious motivation and unconscious motivation.
- Freud introduced it and defined the process of mind as the flow of psychological energy (libido) in an organically complex brain.
- In general, psychodynamics, also known as dynamic psychology, is defined as the interrelationship between the various parts of the mind, personality or psyche as they relate to the mental, emotional and motivational forces, especially in the unconscious.
Beginnings of Psychoanalysis
- Vienna, in the 1890s when Freud decided to study patients with neurotic or hysterical symptoms.
- After decades of research and study he developed a comprehensive theory of psychopathology that emphasized the inner dynamics of unconscious motives (called psychodynamic) that form the basis of psychoanalytical perspective.
- the method that he used to study and treat his patients is called psychoanalysis.
- Freud and Breuer encouraged their patients to speak freely under the influence of hypnosis. The patients displayed considerable emotions and after awakening from their hypnotic state, they felt a significant release of emotions which is called catharsis.
- Two methods were used by them to understand the patients’ conscious and unconscious thought processes:
- Free association: encouraged their patients to speak freely about themselves and in the process give information about their emotions, motives etc.
- Dream analysis: required the patients to record and describe their dreams.
These processes helped the analyst and the patient to gather information which would help them understand their emotional problems better.
Intrapsychic conflicts and structural model of personality intro
Freud believed that behaviour is influenced by the mind’s three parts (tripartite personality). The personality is structured in three parts, each of which develops at different stages of life.
ID
The concept of ID was offered in Sigmund Freud’s structural model. According to this theory, the Id impulse functions on the pleasure principle. the instant gratification of sexual needs and desires. Freud believed that it reflected the biological instinctual impulses like aggression (Thanatos or death instinct) and sexuality (Eros or life instinct).
EGO
It is the moderator between id and superego and seeks compromises to pacify both of them. In the ego there are two ongoing processes:
- Unconscious primary process: The thoughts are not organized in a coherent way, the feelings can shift, contradictions are not in conflict or are just not perceived in that way and condensations arise.
- Conscious secondary process: There is a strong boundary set and thoughts are organized in a coherent way. This is where conscious thoughts arise and modify to favour the reality principle.
SUPEREGO
As the child grows up he develops an understanding of parental and social standards. The superego has two components:
- Conscience: this stores information that is considered “bad” or something that can be punished.
- Ego ideal: this stores information that is considered “good” or one should do or be.
Anxiety, defence mechanisms and the unconscious intro
Anxiety is the core of the psychodynamic theory of affect and is considered crucial in the understanding of mental disorders.
Three anxieties name and explain
Freud believed that there are three types of anxieties or “psychic pains”-
- Reality anxiety: this is the most basic form of anxiety where the fear is of real and possible events like a dog biting or falling from ladders.
- Neurotic anxiety: comes from the unconscious fear that the basic impulses of the id (the primitive part of personality) will take control and eventually result in punishment (this thus is a form of moral anxiety).
- Moral anxiety: comes from the superego where there is fear of violating social norms and values and it appears in the form of feelings of shame and guilt.
Levels of consciousness and ego defence mechanisms
The conscious mind is logical, unconscious not
Unconscious mind directly inaccessible, dreams
The conflict between id, ego and superego create anxiety
First, problem-solving thinking, rational ways
Its failure: defence mechanisms
Tactics developed by ego to deal with the other two
Two common properties: appear unconsciously and tend to distort, transform, or otherwise falsify reality.
Changed perception= less anxiety= reduced tension
Types: Repression, Regression, Projection, Reaction Formation and Sublimation
PSYCHOSEXUAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT AND FIXATIONS
Behaviour oriented towards parts of body
Adult neurosis: childhood sexuality; childhood sexual fantasy and desire
Libido development: normal childhood sexual development
Five psychosexual stages
failure= associate anxiety with particular erogenous zone
To avoid: fixated and preoccupied
UNRESOLVED DEVELOPMENTAL CONFLICTS
Oedipus and Electra complex
REPRESSED MATERIAL SEEKING EXPRESSION
Psychic repression: define it representation Cause Response Role and therapy Transference: define it Access through: dream interpretation Internal censorship Free association or hypnosis
PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY
Unconscious mind influences thought and behaviour
Experiences from early childhood
Long term choice
1. Free Association: without censoring or editing, allows regression, therapeutic alliance, recurrent patterns of conflict
2. Dream Analysis: evolutionary biological perspective, product of individual psyche, manifest content, elements of actual images, thoughts and content, latent content, suppressed primitive feelings, uncovering meaning of symbols, five processes that facilitate: displacement, projection, symbolization, condensation and rationalization
THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE AND TRANSFERENCE
Repetition of childlike behaviour
Well therapeutic alliance
Misperception
WORKING THROUGH
New awareness tested
Influence of the past
Make changes with new understanding
Control over inner conflicts, resolve or minimize them
