The Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

Outline the main assumptions of the psychodynamic approach.

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

Define psychic determinism

Answer 2

unconcious forces and drives are inborn and control or determine our behaviour

Question 3

What is Freud’s theory of personality?

Answer 3

• superego
• id
  -ego

Question 4

What role does the superego play on personality?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What role does the ego play on personality?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What role does the id play on personality?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Define ego strength

Answer 7

the ability to effectively manage the anxiety created between the id and superego

Question 8

What are the 3 defence mechanisms?

Answer 8

repression
denial
displacement

Question 9

Define repression

Answer 9

unconscious mechanism employed by the ego to keep disturbing or threatening thoughts from becoming conscious

Question 10

Define denial

Answer 10

involves blocking external events from awareness

Question 11

Define displacement

Answer 11

satisfying an impulse with a substitute object

Question 12

List the 5 psychosexual stages

Answer 12

Oral
Anal
Phallix
Latency
Genital

Question 13

What age does each stage take place?

Answer 13

Oral - birth-18months
Anal - 1.5-3yrs
Phallic - 3-6yrs
Latency - 6-puberty
Genital - puberty-adulthood

Question 14

Which area is associated with each stage?

Answer 14

Oral - mouth
Anal - anus
Phallic - libido on genitals
Latency - none
Genital - genitals

Question 15

What part of the personality develops in each stage?

Answer 15

oral - id
anal - ego
phallic - superego
latency - none
genital - none

Question 16

What are the key behaviours of the child during the oral stage?

Answer 16

develops a sense of trust and comfort through oral stimulation

Question 17

What are the key behaviours of the child during the anal stage?

Answer 17

developing this control leads to a sense of accomplishment and independence

Question 18

What are key behaviours of the child during the phallic stage?

Answer 18

the child wishes to replace their same sex parent and to posses their opposite sex parent

Question 19

What are key behaviours of the child during the latency stage?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What are key behaviours of the child during the genital stage?

Answer 20

the child develops a strong sexual interest in the opposite sex and an interest in the welfare of others grows

Question 21

What can cause a fixation in each stage?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Outline the adult personality if fixation does occur.

Answer 22

oral - drinking, smoking, nail biting
anal - anal expulsive/repulsive
phallic - homosexuality, narcissism, vainity
latency - immaturity
genital - sexual peversions

Question 23

Define the Oedipus complex.

Answer 23

when a child has a sexual energy for ther opposite sex parent

Question 24

Outline the little hans case study.

Answer 24

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