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Flashcards in Psychodynamic Approach Deck (15)
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1
Q

What is the psychodynamic approach?

A

A perspective that describes the different forces (dynamics), most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience

2
Q

What did Freud say about the role of the unconscious in determining human behaviour?

A

Conscious mind = tip of the iceberg
Most of mind = unconscious - contains biological drives and instincts that drive behaviour + repressed memories
Preconscious mind is just under conscious mind and can sometimes be seen in dreams or slips of the tongue

3
Q

What did Freud say about the structure of personality?

A

It was tripartite - made up of three parts;
Id
Ego
Superego

4
Q

What is the id?

A

Entirely unconscious the Id is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification - operates on the pleasure principle, get want it wants
(babies only have an id)

5
Q

What is the ego?

A

The ‘reality check’ that balances the conflicting demands of the id and superego - works on the reality principle - develops around age 2 - uses defence mechanisms to mediate between the id and superego

6
Q

What are defence mechanisms?

A

Unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego

7
Q

What is the superego?

A

The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self: how we ought to be - forms at the end of the phallic stage around age 5 - is our internalised sense of right and wrong - based on the morality principle

8
Q

What are Freud’s psychosexual stages?

A

According to Freud, five developmental stages that all children pass through. At most stage there is a specific conflict which’s outcome determines future development

9
Q

What are the 5 psychosexual stages?

A
  1. Oral - 0-1 - mouth is focus of pleasure - desire mothers breast - if unresolved - oral fixations - smoking
  2. Anal - 1-3 - anus is focus of pleasure - pleasure from expelling faeces - if unresolved - anal retentive, perfectionist - or - anal expulsive, messy
  3. Phallic - 3-5 - genitals are focus of pleasure - Oedipus and Electra complex here - if unresolved - narcissistic, reckless maybe homosexual
  4. Latency - earlier conflicts repressed
  5. Genital - sexual desires become conscious at puberty occurs - if unresolved - difficulty forming heterosexual relationships
10
Q

Which stage is the odd one out and why?

A

The Latency stage bc there is no conflict to be resolved here

11
Q

What are the evaluation points for the psychodynamic approach?

A

+ Explanatory Power
- Case Study Method
- Untestable Concepts
+ Practical Applications

12
Q

Why does the theory have good explanatory power?

A

While controversial the theory was influential - dominant for 1st half of 20th century - used to explain a wide range of behaviour like; personality development, abnormal behaviour and moral development

13
Q

Why does the theory have poor case study methodology?

A

Freud’s studies were intense and detailed but of single individuals often in therapy - Little Hans - can’t make universal claims from them consequently + Freud’s interpretations were highly subjective - not replicable

14
Q

How does the theory have untestable concepts?

A

Many of Freud’s concepts like the Id, Ego and Superego occur at an unconscious lvl - not testable - can’t be falsified - not a proper science according to Popper

15
Q

What practical applications does the theory have?

A

The theory later led to a new therapy - psychoanalysis - while this has since been criticised it led to the development of new affective therapies - positive