Psychodynamic Theory Flashcards
What are the three parts of the psyche
The conscious ego - non harmful to others and self
The id (born with) - driving the id: Thanatos death instinct, Eros -libido (life instinct)
The super ego - manages aggressive urges through catharsis ( defence mechanisms)
What are the 4 types of catharsis
Regression - retreating to an early stage of the ego to an earlier stage of development
Repression - blocking unpleasant thoughts and emotions from the conscious mind
Sublimation - channeling it into sociallly acceptable behaviour
Displacement - taking anger out later on
Frauds argument
We are born with a psyche that has certain built desires and drives
And we are shaped by childhood experiences and relations with parents deciding on how our defence mechanisms display
Little Hans
5year old Caucasian
Oedipus complex
He feared horses and projected his fear into his father
Strengths
It looks at the nature and nurture response
Explains both hot and cold agression
( hot - impulsive angry and no purpose, failure or the id)
(Cold - deliberate rational and instrumental, the outcome of the egos successful control of id impulses)
Also has application with talking therapy, psychoanalytical therapy
Weakness
It isn’t scientifically credible as there is no quantitative data, empirical evidence isn’t given
It is unfalsifiable ( subjective and can’t see in someone’s head)
The samples are limited as they are all Caucasian and had neurological disorders
The case studies are ideographic
Non reliable as can’t be standardised or replicated and is based on opinion
Bushman et al (2002)
Students were told to write and essay and were given feedback by the confederate but was really critical feedback causing unconscious agression
Group A and B spilt, A punched a punching bag
Both groups given chance to blow air horn at confederate
And despite catharsis A blew air horn louder and longer
