The Psychodynamic Perspective Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the strengths of the Psychodynamic perspective?
- Useful - Offers explanation of why people develop disorders, suggests ways ppl with mental illness can be treated, makes case study method popular - in depth/detailed
What are the weaknesses of the psychodynamic perspective?
- Unscientific
- case studies not generalisable
- highly subjective
What are the defining principles of the psychodynamic perspective?
Unconscious processes - behaviour is driven by your unconscious mind (so you have no control)
Psychodynamic conflict - behaviour is often caused by different parts of the mind being in conflict
Emotional drives - behaviour is motivated by sexual and aggressive drives
Development - behaviour is shaped by experiences such as relationships with parents and conflicts
What are the core concepts of the psychodynamic perspective?
Levels of Consciousness
Instinctual drives
3 parts of the personality
What are the levels of conscousness?
1 - Conscious - at the surface are our conscious thoughts
2 - Pre-conscious - just below the surface are our accessible memories
3 - Unconscious - Deep in our unconscious mind are thoughts that can affect our behaviour but we have no awareness (eg repressed trauma)
How does the unconscious mind reveal itself?
Dream analysis and free association
Laying on a couch and speaking whatever comes to mind until unconscious mind reaches the surface
Projective tests
Give people inkblot images and ask them to reveal what they immediately see
Slips of the tongue
When you say something by meant to say something
What are the two unconscious drives?
Eros - The Life instinct
Thanatos - The death instinct
What is Eros? (not the god :( )
The seeking pleasure drive (basic survival, pleasure and production)
What is Thanatos? (not the god :( )
This is the aggressive drive (risky, behaviour and self-destruction)
What are the 3 parts of personality?
- Super Ego
- Ego
- Id
What is the Super ego?
your morality principle
Causes guilt if we break the rules learned from our parents and society
What is the Ego?
your reality principle
Tries to mediate between the unrealistic desires of the Id and the real wo
What is the Id?
Your impulsive principle
Contains out basic instinctual drives which are present from birth
What are some applications of the Psychodynamic perspective?
understanding and treating a wide range of psychological issues
