The Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

What are the four basic assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

Every individual is unique - idiographic
Free will
Holistic
Non-scientific

Question 2

What is free will the opposite of?

Answer 2

Determinism

Question 3

What does humanism acknowledge in terms of free will?

Answer 3

That we still have constraints on our behaviour e.g morals and social rules, however ultimately the decision is still our choice, there are just less options.

Question 4

Why should people be viewed holistically?

Answer 4

Because viewing them as elements means that much of what is important is lost.

Question 5

Why is science not an appropriate method to measure behaviour?

Answer 5

Because is is objective and human behaviour is subjective

Question 6

What does free will mean in terms of the legal system?

Answer 6

That a crime is always a persons fault, they always take responsibility because it was their choice

Question 7

What is self actualisation?

Answer 7

A peak state of existence that any individual can attain

Question 8

What is the feeling of self-actualisation?

Answer 8

An intensely strong feeling of satisfaction and completeness

Question 9

Do all people self actualise?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

Do all people have the ability to self actualise?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

Who carried out research into self actualisation?

Answer 11

Sheffield et al (1995)

Question 12

What did Sheffield et all find?

Answer 12

They used 185 undergraduate college students and using the personal orientation inventory, they found a positive correlation between level of self actualisation and psychological health

Question 13

What is flow theory?

Answer 13

Flow is a state when someone is completely caught up in a task so that they become totally focused on it

Question 14

What does flow increase?

Answer 14

Personal growth, because a person is in a state where they are driven to improve their performance. They are more likely to reach self actualisation.

Question 15

What do factors can increase self actualisation?

Answer 15

Flow and attitude

Question 16

How can attitude affect self actualisation?

Answer 16

It can increase it if you have an outward positive attitude. However if you have a negative experience like a break up, then you will blame yourself and the negative experience will affect self confidence and potentially stop future relationships from forming

Question 17

How did Maslow say we can reach self actualisation?

Answer 17

Though his hierarchy of needs

Question 18

What are Maslow/s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 18

Physiological needs, safety, belonging (love), self esteem and self actualisation

Question 19

Is self actualisation permanent?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

What happens if you get stuck on one of the levels of the hierarchy?

Answer 20

You cannot reach the next level

Question 21

How could self actualisation be ruined?

Answer 21

For example if you are hungry

Question 22

In Western cultures, what stage of Maslow’s hierarchy do people get stuck on?

Answer 22

The self esteem stage

Question 23

How did Carl Rogers believe we reach self actualisation?

Answer 23

Congruence

Question 24

What is congruence?

Answer 24

When our self-concept, ideal-self and real-self are all the same as each other

Question 25

What is self-concept

Answer 25

How we see ourselves

Question 26

What is ideal-self?

Answer 26

How we wish to be

Question 27

What is real-self

Answer 27

How we really are

Question 28

What did Rogers believe is an important part of congruence?

Answer 28

Unconditional positive regard

Question 29

What is unconditional positive regard?

Answer 29

At some point in our lives being loved for who we are, without proviso, e.g. by a family member, friend or partner

Question 30

What has been a positive outcome of the humanistic approach?

Answer 30

Carl Rogers client centred therapy, where the therapist develops a strong relationship with the patient in order for them to feel unconditional positive regard