The learning approach: Psychodynamic approach

Question 1

Explain the role of the unconscious

Answer 1

Freud suggested that part of our that we know about and are aware of is the conscious which is merely the ‘tip of the iceberg’. Most of our mind is made up of the unconscious: a vast storehouse of our biological drives and instincts that has a significant influence on our behaviour and personality. The unconscious also contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed or forgotten. These can be accessed during dreams or through ‘slips of the tongue’ Under the surface of our conscious mind is the preconscious which contains thoughts and memories which arent in conscious awareness but can be accessed if desired

Question 2

Describe the structure of the personality.

Answer 2

Freud described personality as ‘tripartite’, composed of 3 parts:
The id- the primitive part of our personality that operates on the pleasure principle. Made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demands immediate gratification. Present at birth.
The ego-works on the reality principle and is the mediator between the two other parts of personality . Develops around age 2 and role is to reduce conflict between the demands of the id and superego. Manages this by employing a number of defence mechanisms.
The superego- formed at the end of the phallic stage around age 5, it’s our internalised sense of right and wrong. Based on the morality principle it represents the moral standards of the child’s same-sex parent and punishes the ego for wrongdoing

Question 3

Defence mechanisms

Answer 3

unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego

Question 4

define psychosexual stages

Answer 4

Freud claimed that child development occurred in 5 stages, each stage (apart from latency) is marked by a different conflict that the child must resolve in order to progress to the next stage. Any psychosexual conflict that is unresolved leads to fixation which the child becomes ‘stuck’ and carries out certain behaviours and conflicts associated with that stage later in their adult life.