Psychodynamic Approach

• What is an extraneous variable?

  A variable that, if not controlled, could potentially affect the DV
• What does operationalisation mean in research?

  To make a variable clear and measurable
• What is the superego in Freud's theory?

  A structure within personality that works on the morality principle
• At what age is the superego formed according to Freud?

  Around five years old
• What is the preconscious in Freud's theory?

  A structure in the mind below the conscious level
• What does the id represent in Freud's personality structure?

  A structure present from birth that works on the pleasure principle
• What are the key components of the psychodynamic approach?

  • Role of the unconscious
  • Structure of personality: Id, Ego, Superego
  • Defence mechanisms: repression, denial, displacement
  • Psychosexual stages
• What is the focus of libido during the oral stage?

  The mouth, with pleasure gained from sucking and eating
• What developmental stage occurs from ages 2-3 according to Freud?

  The anal stage
• What major conflict occurs during the phallic stage?

  The Oedipus complex
• What happens during the latency stage of psychosexual development?

  Conflicts of previous stages are repressed
• What is the focus of the genital stage?

  Sexual energy remains fixed in the genitals
• What is fixation in psychology?

  Unresolved psychological conflict leads to an individual becoming "stuck" at a stage.
• What are the possible causes and results of fixation in the oral stage?

  • Possible Causes: Early weaning, Deprivation of love or food
  • Results: Smoking, Biting nails, Sarcasm
• What is the ego in Freud's theory?

  It is one of the elements of the tripartite personality, formed around age 2-3.
• How does the ego function according to Freud?

  It works on the reality principle and mediates between the id and superego.
• What are the possible causes and results of fixation in the anal stage?

  • Possible Causes: Harsh toilet training, Lax toilet training
  • Results: Obsessiveness, Meanness, Tidiness
• What are the possible causes and results of fixation in the phallic stage?

  • Possible Causes: No father figure, Dominant mother
  • Results: Self obsession, Sexual Anxiety, Envy
• What is a confounding variable?

  A type of extraneous variable that may affect the dependent variable.
• What is the main focus of the psychodynamic approach?

  The role of the unconscious and the structure of personality
• What are the key components of the psychodynamic approach?

  Id, Ego, Superego, and defense mechanisms
• What does the Oedipus Complex suggest about boys during the phallic stage?

  Boys want to possess their mothers and rid themselves of their fathers
• Who is known as the "Father of Modern Psychology"?

  Sigmund Freud
• What are Freud's three defence mechanisms?

  Denial, repression, and displacement.
• What is the significance of childhood experiences in the psychodynamic approach?

  They play a significant role in determining our personality in adulthood
• What is castration anxiety in the context of the Oedipus Complex?

  The fear of their father finding out about their feelings
• What are the assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

  • Unconscious activity determines behavior
  • Innate drives energize the mind and motivate behavior
  • Personality is comprised of the Id, Ego, and Superego
  • Childhood experiences significantly influence adult personality
• What happens when anxiety becomes too great according to Freud?

  The ego uses defence mechanisms to protect itself by distorting reality.
• What is denial as a defence mechanism?

  Refusal to accept that a situation is happening.
• How did Freud use the 'Little Hans' case study?

  To support the existence of the Oedipus complex
• What is repression in the context of defence mechanisms?

  Thoughts and memories related to trauma are pushed into the unconscious mind.
• What are the three levels of consciousness in the structure of the mind?

  Conscious, preconscious, and unconscious
• What does the conscious mind consist of?

  Everything we are currently aware of
• What is the Electra Complex according to Jung?

  An equivalent complex for girls, involving attachment to the father
• What is displacement as a defence mechanism?

  Redirecting unpleasant thoughts and feelings onto a "safe" object or individual.
• What is contained in the preconscious mind?

  Thoughts and feelings that can be easily accessed
• What are the strengths and limitations of the psychodynamic approach?

  Strengths:

  • Pioneering approach in psychology
  • Shifted research methodology to observed behavior
  • Supported by successful treatments

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Gender-biased approach
  • Culture-biased approach
  • Based on unfalsifiable concepts
• Why is the psychodynamic approach considered pioneering?

  It was one of the first distinct approaches in psychology, furthering Wundt's work.
• Why did Freud reject the Electra Complex?

  He didn’t see a substitute for castration anxiety
• What did deMaat et al (2009) find regarding psychotherapy treatments?

  They showed that psychotherapy treatments produced significant improvements maintained years after interventions.