Evaluation Of The Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

What are strengths of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 1

Supported by evidence
Practical applications

Question 2

What are limitations of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 2

Cant empirically test
Determinist

Question 3

Evaluate supported by evidence as a strength of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 3

P: A strength of the psychodynamic approach is that it is supported by evidence.

E: For example the little Hans case study. Little Hans had developed a phobia of horses and Freud interpreted the boy’s behaviour as evidence of the Oedipus complex. Hans’ fascination with his ‘widdler’ (penis) was important. He
noticed that animals, including horses, often had much larger penises than him.
Hans’ father went away for a while and Hans enjoyed having his mother’s attention to himself. When his father returned, Hans resented his presence.

E: As little Hans was in the phallic stage of development Freud suggested that this case study was evidence for his theory.

Question 4

Evaluate practical applications as a strength of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 4

P: Produced a successful treatment.

E: Freud pioneered the use of a psychological approach to treating mental disorders which has had a profound and lasting impact on psychology and psychiatry. Many psychologists still use a form of psychoanalysis to treat various psychological disorders and research has shown it to be effective e.g. Bergin (1971) found that 80% of patients benefited from psychoanalysis compared to 65% from other types of psychotherapies.

E: This is a strength because the approach clearly has practical application and, as the treatment is based on the assumptions of the approach, the approach must have some merit and validity.

Question 5

Evaluate that its difficult to test empirically as a limitation of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 5

P: Not easy to empirically test.

E: Freud’s emphasis on early childhood means that retrospective case history evidence is used, the
results of which can be confounded by memory bias and individual’s subjective interpretation of their own life. Furthermore, concepts such as the id, ego and superego are not empirical and Freud’s hypotheses are not fully operationalised. His claims about the cause of psychopathology
are not directly verifiable and it is possible that his assumptions might be incorrect.

E: The psychodynamic theory therefore lacks scientific rigour and many psychologists therefore do not accept it as a valid theory

Question 6

Evaluate deterministic as a limitation of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 6

P: Determinist.

E: Freud believed that abnormality is rooted in childhood conflict that is stored in an individual’s unconscious and it is therefore out of the individual’s control. The approach suggests that the
person is a passive participant in their own life/mental health.

E: This is a limitation because, if the individual believes that their abnormality is pre-determined
and out of their control, they are unlikely to make any life changes to make themselves better.
Furthermore, this approach would be criticised by psychologists who favour the freewill approach such as humanist psychologists who believe that humans have the ability to choose how to behave in any given situation.