psychodynamic approach Flashcards
(22 cards)
what are the assumptions of the psychodynamic approach
the reason for behaviour is due to the unconscious mind, instincts and desires drive our behaviour,early childhood experiences determine our behaviour
what is the unconscious mind
parts of the mind we cant access
what is the conscious mind
parts of the mind we CAN access
what is the ID
the ID is the pleasure drive, we act on sexual desires
what is the ego
this is what balances the superego and id
what is the superego
this is the morality principle, it demands we obey all rules
what are the defence mechanicisms
repression,denial,displacement
what is repression
type of forgetting where a disturbing memory is pushed into the unconscious mind
what is denial
this is the refusal to accept the reality of an unpleasant situation
what is displacement
this is when a strong focus is placed onto a neutral person or an object
what is the A03 for defence mechanisms
high explanatory power- people can use them to understand their experiences as people can relate to the ideas of denial, repression and displacement, helps people understand their own behaviour
lacks falsifibility, they cant be studied directly and can only be inferred from behaviour.the hypothesis to study them cant be tested so scientific evidence cant be gained.
what is psychoanalysis
treatment developed by freud to treat neuroses- mental disorders such as phobias. it aims to make the unconscious conflict conscious to strengthen the ego
what happens in classical psychoanalysis
therapist lets patient talk, patient starts to reveal unconscious conflict then the ego may use resistance- this takes place in many ways.
techniques used are dream interpretation, free association and projective techniques
what are the limitations of psychoanalysis?
theyre time consuming and expensive, eyesenck found theyre only good as a placebo, they cant treat all disorders, only neurosis
what are the psychosexual stages
oral anal phalic latent gential
what is the oral stage
this focuses on the pleasure with the mouth, an effect of this is oral fixation e.g. biting nails, smoking.
what is the anal stage
this focuses on anal pleasure, effects are thoughtless and messy, obessive and perfectionist
what is the phalic stage
this focuses on pleasure in the genital area- child experiences oedipal or electra complex. effects are narcissistic behaviour
what is the genital stage
sexual desires become conscious alongside the onset of puberty. the effect of this is a difficulty forming a heterosexual relationship
what is the A03 for the psychosexual stages
it made a contribution to society, it draws attention to the possible long term effects of traumatic events in childhood-contributed to the well being of people
its gender biased- focuses on male development with very little focus on women.
based on case studies- can be generalised
cant be tested sceintifically,concepts like the libido are impossible to measure and therefore cant be tested.theres little scientific evidence.
what is the a01 of the little hans case study
freud analysed a 5 year old named little HANS, he found hans had a fascination on penis’ on animals. when Hans’ father went away he enjoyed his mothers presence but when his father came back he saw him as a rival. Hans little sister was born in this period and he was hostile towards his sister.
what is the A03 for the psychodyanmic approach
supported by little hans
determinist- suggests humans dont have freewill, if an individual believes their abnormality is predetermined they arent likely to try make changes
case studies arent representable
uses retrospective research, the results can be confounded by memory bias and an individuals subjective interpretation of their own life. lacks scientific rigour.
