Psychodynamic Approach Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is the psychodynamic approach
A perspective that describes the different forces, most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experiences
6 marks for the role of the unconscious
1) Freud argues that part of his he mind that individuals are aware of is the unconscious mind. “Tip of the iceberg.
2) he said most human minds is made up of the unconscious.
3)This is the part of the mind that indivuals are unaware of but everyday actions is thought to be controlled by the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind drives behaviour.
4) the unconscious mind is believed to show in behaviour through: Freudian slip (calling a teacher mum); creativity; anxiety; dreams.
5) the unconscious mind also contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed I.e. forgotten about.
6) the precoscious mind is when an individual can see bits of the unconscious mind
Describe the structure of personality
There are three parts to personality - shown through the tripartite system. Early experiences are thought to be vital in shaping personality and impacting how someone behaves.
ID: this is the primitive part of personality. It is present at birth and forms until the age 18 months. It operates on the pleasure principle- ID gets what it wants. It is driven by desire.
Ego: develops between 18 months - 3 years. Operates on reality principles. The ego is the mediator between the ID and superego. Role is to reduce the conflict between the demand of the id and superego. It uses defence mechanisms. These offer the ego protection to ensure neither force is dominant.
Superego: individual internal sense of right and wrong. Developed between 3-6 years and is formed at the end of the phallic stage. Operates on morality principles. The superego strives for the ego ideal which is determined by strict parenting
6 marks for defence mechanics
1) they distort reality to reduce anxiety and stop people from being overwhelmed by temporary threats or trauma.
2) this is because anxiety weakens the ego and means it cannot mediate between the id and superego
3) defence mechanisms are not thought to be suitable for long-term solutions as they are regarded as psychologically unhealthy and undesirable.
4) repression is a type of defence mechanism this is blocking of an unpleasant memory
5) denial is refusal to accept reality
6) displacement is redirecting of emotions into other objects or people
What is the psychosexual stages
Are series of stages which all individuals progress through from birth to childhood.
The underlying unconscious “drive” which influences behaviour is sexual.
Each stage is marked by different conflict that the child must resolve to progress successfully into the next stage
Stages: oral, anal, phallic, latent, genital
What is the oral stage
Age = 18 months
Description= focus of pleasure is mouth. Get pleasure from bitting
Consequences: orally passive-smoker
Orally aggressive- bites fingernails
What is the anal stage
Age=18-3 years
The focus of pleasure is anus. Withholding faeces.
Consequences: anally expensive-messy
Anally retentive- organised
Phallic stage
Age= 3-6 years
The focus of pleasure is the genital area
Consequence: narcissistic, homosexuality
Latent stage
Age 6-11 years
The sexual energy is displaced throughout the body
Consequence: no fixation occurs therefore no effect on adult personality
Genital stage
Age=12+
The focus of pleasure is genital area
Consequence: possible difficulty forming heterosexual relationships
3 evaluations for psychodynamic
SU- has practice applications. The approach has a range of techniques designed to access the unconscious. Is used to treat patients with mental health problems. The fact the approach has led to the development of therapy which is effective for some individuals, suggest the unconscious is involved in human behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
LT - it cannot be falsified. It does not have the potential to be disproved. For example Id Ego and superego are said to occur at an unconscious level meaning that they are difficult, if not impossible to test. This means the approach is classed as a pseudoscience.
LOE- is deterministic. It suggest all human behaviour is caused by unconcioue conflict that individuals cannot control. It removes the notion of free will as it suggest people do not have a choice over their behaviour. This goes against the belief that a lot of people hold the decision that they make and may means people are not accountable for their behaviour in society.
