Pyschodynamic approach Flashcards
Assumption: Behaviour can be explained by evolutionary influences
-inherited structure of the human mind is the product of evolutionary processes
- origins of why a behaviour occurs
-traits that allow us to survive will be passed on
Buss found that mate selection was universal
- phobia of the dark is considered to be evolutionary
Behaviour can be explained by The Tripartite Model of Personality
- personality is not one united whole but split into three parts
- The ID, The EGO, The SUPEREGO
-Each part wants different things
What does the ID do?
The ID behaves according to the pleasure principle
- can be understood as the demand to take care of needs immediately
- knows what it wants and wants it now
what does the EGO do?
The EGO is the reality principle
- take care of a need as soon as it is appropriate
- represents reality, reason and logic
- deals with demands of id and superego
What does the SUPEREGO do?
-acts according to the morality principle
-inner voice which tells the ego when it is falling short of the ego ideal
the ‘ego ideal’ is the internalised image of what an individual aspires to be, formed through the influence of societal norma, values and expectations.
the two aspects of the superego are the conscience and the ego ideal.
-the conscience represents the internalisation of societal rules and moral values, guiding us about what is right and wrong
-the ego ideal is an internalised image of what we aspire to be
What is the ego ideal?
- an image of oneself as one wants to become
what are the two aspects to the superego?
- conscience which is an internalisation of punishments and warnings
-ego ideal which derives from rewards and positive models presented to the child - communicate their requirements to the go with feelings like pride, shame and guilt
What is a healthy personality?
A healthy personality demonstrates ego strength
- ability to function despite the conflict between the different parts
Assumption: Behaviour can be influenced by the unconscious mind
-different levels of consciousness
-conscious: what we are currently are aware of, rational and logical thoughts
- preconcious: what we could be conscious of if we thought about it
-unconscious: thoughts and feelings which are inaccessible to us
What else is linked with the concept of the unconscious?
Ego defence mechanisms
- these are ways that the ego protects itself from unconscious thoughts and feelings
- deal with stress caused by the conflicting demands of the id and superego
- push out a desire or conflict out of conscious thought
- these defence mechanisms may help in the short term but if overused can lead to disturbed behaviour
What are the most common defence mechanisms?
- repression : pushing bad experiences or negative emotions into the unconscious so you no longer think about them
- regression : the abandonment of age appropriate coping strategies in favour of more child-like patterns of behaviour
- displacement : transferring undesirable impulses from one person to another object or another person
- projection : undesirable thoughts or emotions are attributed to someone else
The consequences of a weak ego
- the effect on behaviour as a result of a dominant id
when the id dominates behaviour it can lead to impulsive and instinctual actions driven by immediate desires and needs without considering social norms or consequences
The consequences of a weak ego
- the effect on behaviour as a result of a dominant superego
-when the superego dominates behaviour, individuals may exhibit behaviours driven by strict adherence to internalised moral standards and societal norms
Assumption : behaviour is influenced by childhood experiences
-freud says that the idea, ego and superego come about through the process of psychosexual development
-there are five stages that children go through and the id, ego, superego develop throughout the stages
- the childs libido is focused on a particular body part at each stage and adult personality can be shapes by fixation in these stages
- occurs if the child is overindulged at a particular stage or experiences frustration at a particular stage
Psychosexual stages and how they can affect your development
-ORAL
-Libido focus is the mouth (ID)
-Healthy development : gives us the ability to understand that we cannot exercise full control over out environment
- Over indulged = Oral Receptive : fed as soon as they want, optimistic, gullible, dependent
Frustration = Oral aggressive : kept waiting for food, aggressive, pessimistic, envious, dominating
