The Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
What are the assumptions in the psychodynamic approach?
- The unconscious plays a key role in behaviour.
- Early childhood is the most important tine un terms of personality formation and shaping our behaviour as adults.
- Our personality is made up of three parts that are in conflict and we use defence mechanisms to manage this conflict.
How does Freud say the mind is divided?
- conscious
- preconscious
- unconscious
What does Freud suggest?
The thoughts that are present in our conscious mind at any time are very few compared to the amount of thoughts in our unconscious mind.
What did Freud’s theory propose?
That the preconscious is located between the conscious and the unconscious and that it functions as a guard between them - only allowing some thoughts to pass from the unconscious to the conscious.
What are repressed thoughts?
- Threatening or disturbing thoughts and memories.
Describe the oral stage -
Ages 0 - 1
Pleasure gained from behaviours such as eating or sucking.
Fixation could result from weaning too early or late.
What are the consequences of unresolved conflict in the oral stage?
- eating disorders
- smoking
- aggression
- needy
- passive
Describe the anal stage -
Ages 1 - 3
Pleasure gained from expelling or retaining faeces.
Fixation can occur through difficulties in potty training.
What are the consequences of unresolved conflict in the anal stage?
- stingy
- perfectionist
- stubborn
Describe the phallic stage -
Ages 3 - 5
Boys experience the Oedipus complex
Girls experience the Electra complex.
Fixation can occur if child does not fully identify with same sex parent.
What are the consequences of unresolved conflict in the phallic stage?
Men - vain , over ambitious, anxious, jealous.
Females - continual striving to dominate men, anxious, jealous.
Latency stage -
social development (same sex friendships)
Genital stage -
Sexual desire becomes conscious with beginning of puberty.
