The Psychodynamic Approach (Approaches)

Question 1

Psychodynamic

Answer 1

A perspective that describes the different forces (dynamics), most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience.

Question 2

Assumptions of the Psychodynamic Approach

Answer 2

-states that unconscious forces in our mind, determine our thoughts, feelings and behaviour (dynamic refers to the ongoing movement of these forces)
-our behaviour as adults is strongly influenced by our childhood experiences
-abnormal behaviour is the result of mental conflict
-the mind can be divided into three levels of consciousness, which can be illustrated by the iceberg analogy. The unconscious mind, which is hidden below the surface, has the most influence on our personality

Question 3

ID

Answer 3

-primitive part of the personality
-operates on the pleasure principle
-is a mass of unconscious drives and instincts
-only the ID is present at birth

Question 4

Ego (the ‘I’)

Answer 4

develops around the age of two years
-works on the reality principle and is the mediator between the ID and Superego
-makes the person aware of other people’s feelings and that it cant always have its own way
-its role is to reduce the conflict between the de,ands of the ID and the Superego
-manages this by employing a number of defence mechanisms
‘reality principle’

Question 5

Superego

Answer 5

-formed around the age of five
-is our internalised sense of right and wrong
-represents the moral standards if the child’s same-sex parent
-punishes the ego for wrongdoing through guilt
‘morality principle’

Question 6

Conflicts between the ID, Ego and Superego

Answer 6

-Ego too weak: allows ID and Superego to dominate
-ID too strong: selfish out of control, could become psychopathic
-Superego too strong: strict, anxious, obsessive-depression, anxiety and OCD

Question 7

Healthy Psyche

Answer 7

The Ego is in control

Question 8

Neurotic Psyche

Answer 8

The Superego is in control

Question 9

Psychotic Psyche

Answer 9

ID is in control

Question 10

Psychopathic Psyche

Answer 10

Absence of the Superego, Id in complete control

Question 11

The oral stage

Answer 11

From birth until about 10 months
-the mouth is the main focus of pleasure during this stage
-the child enjoys tasting and sucking
-the mother’s breast is the object of desire
-successful completion is demonstrated by weaning (eating independently)

Consequence of unresolved conflict: sarcastic, critical, sensitive to rejection. Overeats and drinks, bites nails, may smoke.

Question 12

The anal stage

Answer 12

18 months to 3 years
-defecation is main source of pleasure
-successful completion marked by potty training
Consequence of unresolved conflict: Either: anally retentive- very tidy, stubborn, likes order and being in control, perfectionist, obsessive; or Anally expulsive- thoughtless, messy

Question 13

The Phallic stage

Answer 13

Around age 3-5 years
-form of pleasure is the genital area
-Oedipus complex: boy wants his mother as his ‘primary love object’ and wants his father out of the way
-identification with same sex parent is required for completion
-Electra complex: girls experience penis envy; they desire their father, as the penis is the primary love object and hate their mother
Consequence of unresolved conflict: Phallic personality- narcissistic, reckless, possibly homosexual

Question 14

The Latency stage

Answer 14

age 5 to puberty approximately
-earlier conflicts are repressed
-sexual urges sublimated into sports and other hobbies
-focus on developing same sex friendships
-no particular requirements for successful completion

Question 15

The Genital stage

Answer 15

puberty into adulthood
-focus is on genitals but not to same extent as phallic stage
-task is to develop healthy adult relationships
-should happen if the other stages have been negotiated successfully
Consequence of unresolved conflict
-difficulty forming heterosexual relationships

Question 16

Method (Freud 1909 Little Hans)

Answer 16

A child called Hans had a phobia of horses. Hans was observed by his father, who made notes of Han’s dreams and the things he said and passed them onto Freud for analysis.

Question 17

Results (Freud 1909 Little Hans)

Answer 17

Hans was afraid of horses because he thought they might bite him or fall on him.
He had developed an interest in his penis, which his mum had told him not to play with or she’d cut it off.

His father noted a dream where Hans was married to his mother and his dad was now his grandfather.

Question 18

Conclusion in terms of psychosexual stages (Freud 1909 Little Hans)

Answer 18

Hans had reached the phallic stage and showed evidence of the ‘Oedipus complex’- he wanted to have an exclusive relationship with his mother and was jealous of his father. The horse symbolised his father (having a penis).

Question 19

Conclusion in terms of defence mechanisms (Freud 1909 Little Hans)

Answer 19

His fear of horses is an example of displacement- a defence mechanism that protected him from the real fear of his father.

Hans suffered from castration anxiety, fearing that his father would castrate him if he found out about his feelings. This was symbolised by his fear that a horse would bite him.

Question 20

Evaluation positives (Freud 1909 Little Hans)

Answer 20

It was a case study, meaning it provided lots of detailed data about one subject.

Provided evidence supporting Freud’s theories.

Question 21

Evaluation Negatives (Freud 1909 Little Hans)

Answer 21

Only one subject, meaning results cannot be generalised.

Based entirely on observations and interpretations, so a cause and effect relationship cannot be established.

Other explanations may include: Hans being frightened of being castrated by his mother, who said she’d cut off his penis, instead of his father; Hans having been frightened by a horse which fell down in the street, explaining his fear of them.

The information analysed was from Han’s father, so the results may be biased.

Question 22

(Evaluation) Explanatory power

Answer 22

Freud has had a huge influence on Psychology, providing explanations for issues regarding:
-personality disorders
-development
-abnormalities
-moral development
-gender
-attachment

Question 23

(Evaluation) The case study method

Answer 23

The results of studies on individuals cannot be applied universally

subjectivity

lacks scientific rigour

Question 24

(Evaluation) Untestable concepts

Answer 24

Karl Popper argued that the psychodynamic approach does not meet the scientific criterion of falsification as it is not open to empirical testing and the possibility of disproval

The Unconscious is difficult to test

Pseudoscience

Question 25

(Evaluation) Practical application

Answer 25

Psychoanalysis: a range of techniques used to access the unconscious
Dream analysis and hypnosis is usable
Useful therapeutic tool for neuroses

Unable to treat more severe mental health disorders such as schizophrenia

Question 26

(Evaluation) Gender bias

Answer 26

Freud believed that femininity was failed masculinity and that the two sexes aren’t of equal worth

Horney criticised the approach

A clear bias is inappropriate in science

Question 27

Repression

Answer 27

The ego stops unwanted thoughts from becoming conscious.

Question 28

Denial

Answer 28

An unwanted reality is ignored and blocked from conscious awareness.

Question 29

Displacement

Answer 29

When a negative impulse is redirected unto something else.