Psychodynamic theory Flashcards
What are the unconscious instincts?
- EROS- life instinct, driving force that makes us behave in ways which sustain life, thirst, hunger and pain avoidance
- THANATOS - destructive force- unconscious desire to die, self destructive behaviour is an expression of energy created by death instincts. When directed outwards can be turned into aggression and violence
What are the parts of the structure of personality?
ID- driven by instincts, present from birth and demands immediate gratification of impulses and biological needs, irrespective of consequences
EGO- develops at 2, maintains balance between biological needs (ID) and rules of society (superego), satisfying needs in socially appropriate ways
SUPEREGO- develops between 3 and 6, sense of morality, concerned about social norms and appropriate behaviour
Evaluation
Scientific- disadvantage- can’t measure violence caused by Thanatos
Holistic- Freud supports both nature (Thanatos) and nurture (childhood experience) as a way of explaining aggression
Individual difference- advantage- aggression can be determined by past experiences which is different for everyone
Falsifiability- disadvantage - can’t demonstrate its not true can’t observe objectively or measures quantitively
