The Psychodynamic Approach

Question 1

What is the pleasure principle?

Answer 1

A principle that shows we are inclined towards things that bring us pleasure

Question 2

What are the 3 structures of our personality?

Answer 2

The id, superego, and ego

Question 3

Describe the id

Answer 3

The id is driven by the pleasure principle and operates solely in the unconscious. It contains the libido and demands immediate gratification.

Question 4

Describe the superego

Answer 4

This is divided into conscience, which is the internalisation of societal rules, and the ego-ideal, which is what a person strives towards. It shows a desire to follow the rules.

Question 5

Describe the ego

Answer 5

The ego mediates between the impulsive demands of the id and the moralistic demands of the superego, as it is guided by the reality principle.

Question 6

What is the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 6

This approach avoids the ‘trappings’ of science and instead focusses on trying to get ‘inside the head’ of individuals. The most well-known theory is Freud’s psychoanalysis.

Question 7

What are the three assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 7

1) Influence of childhood experiences
2) The unconscious mind
3) Tripartite personality

Question 8

What is the role of the unconscious mind?

Answer 8

Freud believed that much of behaviour is controlled by the unconscious mind, and used the iceberg analogy to describe it; the tip of the iceberg, visible above the water, represents the conscious mind, while there is a much larger part hidden underwater (the unconscious mind).

He believes it contains unresolved conflicts from childhood and has a large effect on our behaviour. Although it is not easily accessible, it can manifest itself in parapraxes eg. Freudian slips

Question 9

When is the id developed?

Answer 9

At birth

Question 10

When is the ego developed?

Answer 10

Around 2 years old (anal stage)

Question 11

When is the superego developed?

Answer 11

From 3 years old (phallic stage)

Question 12

What is the function the ego’s defence mechanisms?

Answer 12

They distort reality so that anxiety is reduced in a stressful situation which cannot be dealt with rationally

Question 13

Name 3 defence mechanisms

Answer 13

Repression, projection, displacement

Question 14

Describe repression

Answer 14

An unconscious mechanism employed by the ego to keep disturbing or threatening thoughts from becoming conscious

e.g. not remembering the details of a traumatic event

Question 15

Describe projection

Answer 15

Involves individuals attributing their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings and motives to another person

e.g. calling another person ugly to hide your own insecurities

Question 16

Describe displacement

Answer 16

Satisfying an impulse (usually agression) with a substitute object

e.g. getting fired from work and then getting into an argument at home

Question 17

What are the five stages of psychosexual development?

Answer 17

Oral 
Anal
Phallic
Latency
Genital

Question 18

What is a good mnemonic to learn the stages?

Answer 18

Old
Age
Pensioners
Love 
Grapes

Question 19

Describe the oral stage

Answer 19

Age: 0-18 months

Origin of libido: Mouth

Source of pleasure: sucking, chewing, swallowing, biting

Key event: Breastfeeding

Question 20

Describe the anal stage

Answer 20

Age: 18 months - 2 years

Origin of libido: Anus

Source of pleasure: withholding, expelling, playing with faeces

Key event: Potty training

Question 21

Describe the phallic stage

Answer 21

Age: 3-5 years

Origin of libido: genitals

Source of pleasure: masturbation, touching lower parts

Key events: oedipus complex, leads to superego and gender identity

Question 22

Describe the latency stage

Answer 22

Age: 5 years - puberty

Origin of libido and source of pleasure: Little/no sexual motivation

Key events: acquiring knowledge and understanding of the world

Question 23

Describe the genital stage

Answer 23

Age: puberty onwards

Origin of libido: genitals

Source of pleasure: intercourse

Question 24

What do these stages of personality development show about Freud’s belief?

Answer 24

They emphasise that the most important driving force in development is the need to express sexual energy (libido).

At each stage this energy is expressed in different ways and through different parts of the body.

Question 25

Describe the Oedipus complex

Answer 25

A male child unconsciously wishes to possess their mother and get rid of their father, resulting in jealousy and/or hate of him or any other rival.

Question 26

What are the strengths of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 26

1) Freud’s use of case studies provided a new way to gather empirical evidence with observations of behaviour, rather than relying on introspection. This led to developments in treatment for disorders such as depression and anxiety.
2) Many of the claims of psychoanalysis have been tested and confirmed using scientific methodology. Fisher and Greenberg (1996) summarised 2,500 of these studies, concluding that experimental studies of psychoanalysis ‘compare well with studies relevant to any other major area of psychology’.

Question 27

What are the weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 27

1) Psychoanalysis is gender biased; Freud’s views of women and female sexuality were less developed than his views on male sexuality. He seemed content to remain ignorant of how female sexuality differs from male sexuality, which is an issue because his work is still so influential today.
2) It is also culturally biased, as many cultural groups do not value insight in the same way that Western culture does. Some people, for example someone in China, may rather want to avoid thinking about their negative feelings and experiences rather than opening up.