The psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
Explanatory powers
This approach had a huge influence on psychology and Western contemporary thought. Alongside Behaviourism, the psychodynamic approach remained the dominant force in psychology for the first half of the 20th century and has been used to explain things such as personality development, abnormal behaviour, moral development and gender. Also significant at drawing attention to experiences in childhood such as our relationship with our parents and later development
Uses case studies
Freud’s theory was based upon individual’s such as Little Hans and Dora and Rat-man. Although the observations were detailed and carefully recorded, critics have suggested that it is not possible to make such universal claims about human nature using an idiographic approach as the studies use individuals which in turn affects the generalisations of the research. Furthermore Freud’s research is highly subjective. Problem as in comparison with the other approaches Freud’s methods lack scientific rigour.
Untestable concepts
Popper argues that the psychodynamic approach doesn’t meet the scientific criterion of falsification. Many of Freud’s concepts such as id and Oedipus complex are said to occur at an unconscious level, making them difficult, if not impossible to test. According to Popper this affords psychodynamic theory the status of pseudoscience (fake science) rather than real science.
Practical application
Alongside with the theoretical basis, Freud also brought to the world a new form of therapy: psychoanalysis. Techniques such as hypnosis and dream analysis are designed to access the unconscious. Although this therapy has claimed success with many patients from mild neuroses, psychoanalysis has been criticised as inappropriate even harmful for people suffering more serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Problem as this therapy doesn’t apply to all types of mental disorders
Psychic determinism
Freud believed that there was no such thing as accidents. Even something random as a slip of the tongue’ is driven by unconscious forces and has deep symbolic meaning. The psychodynamic approach explains all behaviour even accidents as determined by unconscious conflicts that are rooted in childhood such that free will we may think we have is an illusion.
