The Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
Outline the main assumptions of the psychodynamic approach.
- states that unconcious forces in our mind determine our thoughts, feelings and behaviour
- our behaviour as adults is strongly influenced by our childhood experiences
- abnormal behaviour is the result of mental conflict
- the mind can be divided into 3 levels of conciousness which can be illustrated by the icebergy analogy
Define psychic determinism
unconcious forces and drives are inborn and control or determine our behaviour
What is Freud’s theory of personality?
- superego
- id
-ego
What role does the superego play on personality?
the superego is our sense of right and wrong
it is based on the moral principle and represents the moral standards of ones self
it punishes the ego for wrong doing
What role does the ego play on personality?
the ego works on the reality principle and is the mediator between the id and superego
to reduce conflict between the id and superego, the ego employs defence mechanisms
What role does the id play on personality?
the id is the primitive part of the personality that operates on the pleasure principle
the id gets what it wants and demands instant gratification of its selfish needs
Define ego strength
the ability to effectively manage the anxiety created between the id and superego
What are the 3 defence mechanisms?
repression
denial
displacement
Define repression
unconscious mechanism employed by the ego to keep disturbing or threatening thoughts from becoming conscious
Define denial
involves blocking external events from awareness
Define displacement
satisfying an impulse with a substitute object
List the 5 psychosexual stages
Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency
Genital
What age does each stage take place?
Oral - birth-18months
Anal - 1.5-3yrs
Phallic - 3-6yrs
Latency - 6-puberty
Genital - puberty-adulthood
Which area is associated with each stage?
Oral - mouth
Anal - anus
Phallic - libido on genitals
Latency - none
Genital - genitals
What part of the personality develops in each stage?
oral - id
anal - ego
phallic - superego
latency - none
genital - none
What are the key behaviours of the child during the oral stage?
develops a sense of trust and comfort through oral stimulation
What are the key behaviours of the child during the anal stage?
developing this control leads to a sense of accomplishment and independence
What are key behaviours of the child during the phallic stage?
the child wishes to replace their same sex parent and to posses their opposite sex parent
What are key behaviours of the child during the latency stage?
the sexual energy is still present but is directed into areas such as social interactions and intellectual pursuits which is important in the development of social and communication skills and self-confidence
What are key behaviours of the child during the genital stage?
the child develops a strong sexual interest in the opposite sex and an interest in the welfare of others grows
What can cause a fixation in each stage?
oral - not being allowed to put things in the mouth
anal - being too strict or leniant with potty training
phallic - if the child doesn’t identify with the opposite sex parent
latency - not fitting in at school
genital - a fixation in any other stage
Outline the adult personality if fixation does occur.
oral - drinking, smoking, nail biting
anal - anal expulsive/repulsive
phallic - homosexuality, narcissism, vainity
latency - immaturity
genital - sexual peversions
Define the Oedipus complex.
when a child has a sexual energy for ther opposite sex parent
Outline the little hans case study.
aim - to cure little hans of his phobia of horses and to understand the cause of the phobia
conclusion - phobia of horses was really a fear of father
