The psychodynamic approach Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the unconscious according to Freud?
A part of the mind inaccessible to conscious thought
- Uses metaphor of an iceberg to describe the mind
What is the role of the unconscious?
Actively prevents traumatic memories from the unconscious reaching conscious awareness, therefore the mind uses defence mechanisms to prevent anxiety
What type of memories are contained in the unconscious?
Threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed and forgotten about
What is the id?
- operates solely in the unconscious
- contains libido (biological energy created by reproductive instincts)
- operates according to the pleasure principle
- demands immediate gratification
What is the ego?
Mediated between the impulsive demands of the id + superego (reality principle)
- may delay gratifying the id until there is a more appropriate opportunity to satisfy its demands
What is the superego?
- divided into conscience (internalisation of societal rules, determines feelings such as guilt when rules are broken) and the ego-ideal (what a person strives towards)
What are defence mechanisms?
Operate unconsciously and work by distorting reality so that anxiety is reduced
By using defence mechanisms it stops the individual becoming aware of any unpleasant thoughts/feelings associated with with the traumatic situation
What is repression?
Unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts and impulses
These repressed thoughts influence behaviour without the individual being aware of the reasons behind their behaviour
What is denial?
Refusal to accept reality so as to avoid having to deal with any painful feelings that might be associated with with that event
Person acts as though the traumatic event never even happened (those around person find bizarre)
What is displacement?
Redirecting thoughts or feeling in situations where the person feels they are unable to express them in the presence of the person they SHOULD be directed towards
Feelings misapplied to an innocent person or object
What are the psychosexual stages?
Individual experiences tension due to build up of this sexual energy - there are 5 psychosexual stages where this energy is expressed
What are the 5 psychosexual stages?
Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latent
Genital
What is the oral stage? what ages?
0-2 years
mouth is the focal point of sensation (sucking and biting) - expression of early sexual energy
What is the anal stage? what ages?
2-3 years
Beginnings of ego develop
Child becomes aware of the demands of reality + need to conform to others demands
Involves toilet training as the child learns to control expulsion of bodily waste
What is the phallic stage? what ages?
3-6 years
Sexual energy now focused on genitals
Oedipus complex (male child unconsciously wishes to possess their mother and get ride of their father) - boys experience castration anxiety
What is the latent stage? what ages?
6-12 years
Conflicts and issues of previous stages are repressed with the consequence that children are unable to remember much of their early years
What is the genital stage? what ages?
The culmination of psychosexual development + fixing of sexual energy
Eventually directs us towards sexual intercourse
What are the benefits of Freuds approach despite its controversial and bizarre nature?
Has had a huge influence on psychology and western contemporary thought, used to explain processes such as personality development, abnormal behaviour, moral development and gender identity
Also draws attention to the connection between childhood and later development
What is the the practical application of the psychodynamic approach?
Introduced idea of psychotherapy - brought in psychoanalysis which claims to help people by bringing their repressed emotions to their conscious mind
First attempt to treat people psychologically rather than physically
What is a limitation of the psychodynamic approach?
Popper - core concepts are abstract and does not meet scientufic criterion
