pyschodynamic approach- the role of the unconcious Flashcards
(7 cards)
what are the 6 AO1 points you must know for the role of the unconcious in the psychodynamic approach
-Vast Unconscious Reservoir
-Driver of Behaviour
-Source of Psychological Conflict
-Dreams as the “Royal Road”
-Freudian Slips
-Access via Projective Techniques
What are the three levels of consciousness according to Freud?
The mind is like an iceberg:
Conscious (tip): thoughts we’re aware of
Preconscious: memories just below awareness
Unconscious (bulk): repressed instincts, desires, and memories that influence behaviour
How do unconscious instincts drive behaviour?
Libido (life instincts) and Thanatos (death instincts) operate unconsciously, motivating actions—even though the ego represses these impulses, they still shape our behaviour.
How do unconscious conflicts lead to psychological issues?
When id drives conflict with superego demands, the ego uses defence mechanisms. Unresolved conflicts create anxiety and can manifest as phobias, obsessions, or other disorders.
Why did Freud call dreams the “royal road” to the unconscious?
Dreams’ manifest content (what we remember) disguises the latent content (hidden wishes). Dream analysis aims to decode these symbols to uncover unconscious desires.
What are Freudian slips and what do they reveal?
Parapraxes, or slips of the tongue, occur when an unconscious thought bypasses ego censorship, revealing hidden desires or conflicts in everyday speech or action.
How do projective techniques access the unconscious?
Methods like the Rorschach inkblot test and free association help bypass conscious defenses, allowing unconscious material to emerge for therapists to interpret and resolve.
