Psychodynamic Perspective

Question 1

Defining principles? (4)

Answer 1

1. Behaviour is a result of conflict between different parts of the mind (id, ego, superego)
2. Influences on behaviour come from the unconscious mind
3. Personality is shaped by relationships, experiences, and conflict.
4. Childhood can impact your behaviour as adults.

Question 2

Explain assumption 1: behaviour is influenced by the 3 parts of the mind - tripartite model of personality?

Answer 2

Behaviour is influenced by the id, the ego, the superego.

Conflict between these 3 parts can lead to problems and mental disorders.

Question 3

describe the id? (Principle? What it does? When it develops?)

Answer 3

The id is present at birth and is impulsive, is consists of the sex (life) and agressive (death) instinct.
- operates on the pleasure principle.

Question 4

Describe the ego? (Principle? What it does? When it develops?)

Answer 4

The ego develops at 2years. It mediates between the id and the real world.
- it operates on the reality principle.

Question 5

Describe the superego? (Principle? What it does? When it develops?)

Answer 5

The superego develops between 3-5. It consists of two systems: the conscience and the ideal self. It judges whether actions are right or wrong.
- operates on the morality principle.

Question 6

Describe assumption 2: behaviour is influenced by the unconscious, and the conscious. (Iceberg)

Answer 6

The concious mind is what we are currently aware of, it’s logical/rational. (Tip)

The subconscious is what we could be aware of if we thought about it. (Middle)

The unconscious mind contains thoughts and feelings that are inaccessible to us. (Bottom)

Question 7

Examples of defense mechanisms? (6)
Describe them?

Answer 7

Repression - keep disturbing thoughts from being conscious.
Denial - blocking events from awareness.
Projection - attributing their own feelings
to another person.
Displacement - satisfying an impulse with a substitute object.
Regression - movement back in psychological time when one is stressed.
Sublimation - same as displacement but in a socially acceptable way.

Question 8

Explain assumption 3: the importance of early childhood experiences and relationships.

Answer 8

Traumatic events in childhood may be depressed in the unconscious and cause problems as adults.
We use our childhood relationships as templates for adult relationships so parent&child relationship are important.

Question 9

Strengths? (2)

Answer 9

1. Explanatory power/practical applications - can be used to explain all sorts of behaviour (multiple personalities/day dreaming/dream analysis)
2. Looks at nature and nurture

Question 10

Weaknesses? (2)

Answer 10

1.Based on subjective interpretation not fact- everyone will have their own perspective so it’s not completely reliable.
2. Infalsifiable (difficult to test unconsciousness, scientifically or measure accurately) - based on morals too.

Question 11

Applications? (2)

Answer 11

1. Abnormalities (phobias)
2. Agression (displacement)

Question 12

Two core studies?

Answer 12

Freud & Kohlberg

Question 13

What is psychoanalysis?

Answer 13

A method for treating mental illness, and a theory that explains human behaviour.