The psychodynamic approach

Question 1

Psychodynamic approach

Answer 1

describes the different forces (dynamics), most of which are unconscious, that operate on the bond and direct human behaviour and experience

Question 2

the role of the unconscious

Answer 2

• Freud
  a vast storehouse of biological drives and instincts that has a significant influence on our behaviour and personality
• contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed –> can be accessed during dreams or through ‘slips ion the tongue’ (parapraxes)

Question 3

The structure of personality

Answer 3

• Id
• Ego
• Superego

Question 4

Id

Answer 4

entirely unconscious, is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification

• pleasure principle - gets what it wants

Question 5

Ego

Answer 5

the ‘reality check’ that balances the conflicting demands of the id and the superego

• reality principle
  the mediator
• develops around age of 2 years
• employs number of defence mechanisms

Question 6

Superego

Answer 6

the moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self; how we ought to be

• formed at end of phallic stage
• around age of 5
• internalised sense of right and wrong
• morality principle

Question 7

defence mechanisms

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Psychosexual stages

Answer 8

according to Freud, 5developmental stages that all children pass through.
At most stages there is a specific conflict, the outcome of which determines future development

Any psychosexual conflict that is unresolved leads to fixation where the child becomes ‘stuck’ and carries certain behaviours and conflicts associated with that stage through to adult life