Lesson 9: The psychodynamic approach (The unconscious and personality)

Question 1

What are the key assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

-the driving force behind our behaviour is the UNCONSCIOUS mind

-instincts and drives MOTIVATE our behaviour

-early CHILDHOOD is pivotal in making us the person we are

Question 2

What is the main psychologist of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 2

Sigmund Freud

Question 3

How many levels of the mind did Freud believe there were? (name them)

Answer 3

THREE:

1)The conscious
2) The preconscious
3) The unconscious

Question 4

What does the CONSCIOUS mind contain?

Answer 4

thoughts,feelings and memories that a person is CURRENTLY aware of

Question 5

What does the PRECONSCIOUS mind contain?

Answer 5

thoughts,feelings and memories that a person could access IF they wanted to

Question 6

What is the UNCONSCIOUS mind?

Answer 6

it is INACCESSIBLE + the largest part of the mind

Question 7

According to Freud, what are our everyday actions and behaviours caused by?

Answer 7

they are a PRODUCT of the unconscious mind

(they are NOT controlled consciously)

Question 8

How does the unconscious mind reveal itself?

Answer 8

1) Freudian slips (slips of the tongue)

2) Creativity and NEUROTIC symptoms

Question 9

What is the mind responsible for preventing?

Answer 9

prevents TRAUMATIC thoughts and feelings reaching the CONSCIOUS mind

(as this would cause the person anxiety if it did)

Question 10

During psychoanalysis, what level of the mind does the therapist (psychoanalyst) try to access (+how is this level accessed)

Answer 10

The UNCONSCIOUS part of the mind

It is ACCCESSED through free association and DREAM interpretation

Question 11

What are the THREE parts of personality

Answer 11

1) Id
2) Ego
3) Superego

Question 12

What shapes the development of these three parts of personality

Answer 12

experience and conflict in CHILDHOOD shape the development of the three parts of personality- affecting how a person behaves

Question 13

Describe the Id

Answer 13

Formed: between birth and 18 months of age
-In the UNCONSCIOUS mind
-It is IRRATIONAL and EMOTIONAL-> deals with feelings + needs and seeks pleasure

Question 14

What principle does the Id operate on?

Answer 14

Operates on the PLEASURE principle

Question 15

Describe the ego

Answer 15

Formed: around 18 months until 3 years of age
-In the CONSCIOUS mind
-it is RATIONAL and obtains BALANCE between the id and superego

Question 16

What principle does the ego operate on?

Answer 16

Operates on the REALITY principle

Question 17

Describe the superego

Answer 17

Formed: Between 3->6 months of age
-In the UNCONSCIOUS mind
-acts as a CONSCIENCE or MORAL guide based on parental and societal VALUES

Question 18

What principle does the superego operate on?

Answer 18

Operates on the MORALITY principle