The psychodynamic approach. Flashcards
Freud’s theory psychoanalysis
Psychodynamic
theories emphasis changes development in the individual unconsious motives and desires, and the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping perrsonaility.
What does Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis suggest
That the uncious mind reveals itself through ‘Freudian slips’ creativity and neurotic symptoms
Freud structure of personality
Three parts in conflict:
The id (impulsive physical appetites, including the libido)
the ego (mediates between the id and the supergo);
the superego (consiting of conscience which interalises societal rules, and ego-ideal and determined by parental expectations).
Defence mechanism
Prevent traumatic memories from becoming conscious and causing anxiety.
e.g repression is unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts and impluses.
Denial is refusal to accept reality.
Displacement involves redirecting hostile feelings onto a innocent person or object.
The psychosexual stages
emphasise that libido (sexual energy) is the main drive, but expressed differently at each stage of development: oral anal, phallic, latent and genital
Stages of psychosexual analysis
Oral = 0-2 = The mouth is the focal point of pleasure (sucking, biting)
Anal 2-3 = Ego development begin, with an awareness of realty and the need to conform. Toliet trainning is the major issue
Phallic 3-6 = sexual energy is focused on the genitals. Boys experience the Oedipus complex, a desire to possess their mother and het rid of their father, Causing castration
Latent 6-12 = Mastery of the child’s world repression of the conflicts of earlier stages.
Genital 12+ = Fixing of sexual energy in the genitals, culminating in adult sexual relationships.
AO3
Psychoanalysis was a pioneering approach to treatment based on case studies rather than introspection
Strength
E: The first to propose psychological treatments for disorders such as depression and anxiety
E: A large-scale review of psychotherapy studies concluded that psychoanalysis produced significant, long-lasting improvments in symptoms
L: This shows the value of the insight of psychoanalysis and treatments based on them
Psychoanalysis is also culture-biased may have a little relevance to those from non-western cultures.
Weakness
E: e.g in china a person who is depressed or anxious avoids distressing thoughts, rather than being willing to openly discuss.
E: This contrasts with the western belief that open discussion and insight are always helpful in theraphy
L: Psychoanalysis is developed in a western, middle-class culture so has limitations in its application outside that culture
There is empircial evidence supporting aspects psychodynasmic theory.
Strength
E: Such as unconscious motivations in behaviour, and the defence mechanisms of repression, denial and displacement
E: Although critics claim that psychoanalystic theory is not testable or falsifiable.
L: In fact, many claims of psychoanalysis have been tested experimentally and are supported by the findings.
The psychodynamic theory is gender-biased because Freud was ignorant of female sexuality
Weakness
E: He based his theories on male sexual development as the norm, and didn’t take acount of the differences in female sexuality.
E: Later psychoanalysis have critized Freu’ds work and developed new theory relating to women’s development.
L: The gender bias in Freud’s theory is problematic as he treated many female paitents, and also because his theories are still very influential.
What AO3 are you using?
Psychoanalysis
- Based on case studies rather than introspection
- Is culture biased
Psycodynamic theory
- Gender biased
- There is empricial evidence to support the theory
