APPROACHES ( PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH) Flashcards
(6 cards)
Outline the role of the unconscious
controls our everyday actions and behaviors. It contains the repressed ideas and memories , as well as primitive desires and impulses that are never allowed to enter the conscious mind
The structure of personality is split into 3 divisions . Outline the ego , id and Super-ego
ID- The id operates according to the pleasure principle it demands instant gratification regardless of circumstances. Operates in the unconscious
EGO - The ego mediates between the impulsive demands of the id and the reality of the external world. It is the reality principle. It compromises between the impulsive demands of the id and the superego
SUPEREGO- The morality principle. It determines which behaviours are permissible and causes feelings of guilt when rules are broken
Define Defence mechanisms
Unconscious strategies that protect our conscious mind from anxiety. They work by distorting reality to reduce anxiety.
Outline the 3 examples of defence mechanisms outlined in this approach
Repression- refers to the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts and impulses. They continue to influence behaviour without individual being aware
Denial - is the refusal to accept reality so as to avoid having to deal with any painful feelings so that might be associated with that event.
Displacement - involves the redirecting of thoughts or feelings in situations where the person feels unable to express them in the presence of the person they should be directed towards instead they take them out on a helpless victim.
Outline the Psychosexual stages , what age they occur and description of that stage
Oral - 0-2 years - The mouth is the focal point of sensation. /biting
Anal-2-3 years - the ego starts to develop as the child becomes aware of the demands of reality and the need to conform to the demands of others.
Phallic - 3-6 years - sexual energy is now focused on the genitals. Oedipus complex in the male child as he wishes to possess his mother get rid of his mother
Latent - 6-12 years - The child develops mastery of the world around them and issues from previous stages are repressed
Genital - 12+ - the culmination of pyschosexual development and fixing of sexual energy
EVALUATE THIS APPROACH
STRENGTHS :
Influential theory : freud’s approach influenced other areas of psychology , literature and modern therapy like psychodynamic counselling
Practical application in therapy : psychoanalysis ( dream analysis) is still used today to access unconscious conflicts. 80% of patients benefit from psychodynamic therapy. However only suitable for certain individuals and not appropriate for severe disorders like schizophrenia
LIMITATIONS:
Unfalsifiable & unscientific : many concepts are unobservable and cannot be empirically tested. It cannot be tested in a way that proves it wrong and it lacks objectivity and rigor of approaches like bio or cognitive approaches.
Overemphasis on childhood and sex : this view is reductionist and outdated , ignoring the role of adult experiences , culture and cognition. The idea that adult personality disorders stem from unresolved oedipus lacks empirical support.
