The psychodynamic approach Flashcards
what are assumptions of the pyschodynamic approach
The psychodynamic approach states that unconscious forces in our mind, determine our thoughts, feelings and behaviour (the term dynamic refers to the ongoing movement of these forces)
Our behaviour is the result of mental conflict.
The mind can be divided into three levels of conscious, which can be illustrated by the iceberg analogy. The unconscious mind, which is hidden below the surface, has the most influence on our personality.
describe Psychosexual stages
Freud believed children are born with a libido(sexual pleasure/urge)
There are a number of stages of childhood, during which the child seeks pleasure from a different object
To be psychologically healthy, we must successfully complete each stage.
Mental abnormality can occur is a stage is not completed successfully-the person becomes ‘fixated’
what is the oral stage
The mouth is the main focus of pleasure during this stage
The child enjoys tasting and sucking
The mother’s breast is the object of desire
Successful completion of this stage is demonstrated by weaning-eating independently
what is the consequence of unresolved oral stage
Oral Fixation-sarcastic, critical, sensitive to rejection-overeats and drinks, bite nails, may smoke
What is the anal stage
18 months to 3 yeras
Defecation is the main source of pleasure
successful completion marked by potty training
what are the consequences of the anal stage
Anally retentive-very tidy, stubborn, likes order and being in control, perfectionist, obsessive
Anally expulsive-Thoughtless, messy
what is the phallic stage
op and el commplex
Around age 3-5 years
Form of pleasure is the genital area
Oedipus complex-Boy wants his mother as his ‘primary love object’ & wants his father out of the way
Electra complex-Girls experience penis envy;they desire their father,as the penis is the primary love object and hate their mother
what are the consequences of the phallic stage
Phallic personality-narcisstuc,reckless,possibly homosexual
what are the main features of the psychodynamic approach
The role of the unconscious
The structure of personality- id ego and superego
Defence mechanisms including, repression denial and displacement
psychosexual stages,
what are the three parts of the mind - describe the iceberg
The conscious. The small amount of mental activity we know about
The preconscious. Things we could be aware of if we wanted or tried e.g. memories
The unconscious. Things we are unaware of and can not become aware of e.g instincts, deeply buried memories
according to Freud what three characteristics do we have in our mind at the same time
Ego, Supergo, ID
describe character A (the id)
Primitive part of our personality.
Operates on the pleasure principle(gets what it wants)
ID is a mass of unconscious drives and instincts
Only the ID is present at birth
describe character B (the ego)
Develops around the age of to years.
Works on the reality principle and is the mediator between the ID and SUPEREGO
Makes the person aware of other peoples feelings and that it cant always have its own way
Its role is to reduce the conflict between the demands of the ID and the super ego
It manages this by employing a number of defence mechanisms(to be covered later)
describe character C (the other I)
Formed around the age of five
It is our internalised sense of right and wrong
Represents the moral standards of the childs same-sex parent
Punishes the ego for wrongdoing (through guilt)
What happens if the ID, Ego and superego do not work together
Ego too weak- allows id and superego to dominate
ID too strong- selfish, out of control could become psychopathic
Superego too strong-strict, anxious,obsessive-depression anxiety,OCD
