Psychological Explanations: Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

What happens if the ego fails to balance the demands of the id and superego?

Answer 1

Conflicts may arise and psychological disorders may result

Question 2

What can dominance of the id impulses lead to?

Answer 2

Destructive tendencies, pleasurable acts and uninhibited sexual behaviour

Question 3

What happens if the morality of the superego dominates?

Answer 3

The individual may be unable to experience any form of pleasurable gratification

Question 4

What can the superego cause?

Answer 4

Crime as well as preventing it

Question 5

What is the superego supposed to do?

Answer 5

Regulate morals and act as a guardian figure and when the ego contemplates something immmoral the superego punishes it with anxiety

Question 6

When might someone develop a weak superego?

Answer 6

If the same sex parent is absent during the phallic stage the child cannot internalise a fully formed superego as there is no opportunity for identification

Question 7

What can a weak superego cause?

Answer 7

Somebody to please their id and ignore the consequences

Question 8

What causes a deviant superego?

Answer 8

W son whose father is a criminal may develop morality based on his actions, he may develop strong morals towards infidelity it see domestic violence as something which is morally acceptable

Question 9

What causes a strong superego?

Answer 9

Their superego may feel they need punishment and the person may commit a drink in order to get caught and punished

Question 10

What are 3 evaluation points?

Answer 10

• Gender bias: alpha bias
• Girls have a weaker superego
• Females should be more prone to criminal behaviour however there is hardly any evidence