The Psychodynamic Approach was founded by Sigmund Freud
Conscious, Pre-conscious, unconscious thoughts...
According to Psychodynamic theory, we have an 'unconscious' mind which influences our behaviour and our behaviour is influenced by different levels of consciousness.
Our Conscious mind is unaware of what thoughts and emotions occur in the unconscious
Conscious thoughts are those you are aware of at any time; including what you are thinking about right now.
Preconsciousthought are just below the surface of awareness and you can retrieve them relatively easily as a memory or recollection
Unconscious thoughts are those buried deep-well conscious awareness. Even though we are not aware of their existence, they still exert great influence on our behaviour.
What is the role of the unconscious
The unconscious thought is the driving/motivating force behaviour and personality:
2. The unconscious protects the conscious self from anxiety, fear, trauma and conflict.
If a conflict is experienced during development through the psychosexual stages a fixation can effect the adult's personality
Strength of Psychodynamic Approach:
Supporting evidence from Little Hans and Ratman suggests that Freud's ideas about the unconscious conflict could have validity - these people experience mental distress due to factors put forth by Freud.
Strength of the Psychodynamic Approach
Psychoanalysis is a therapy which aims to bring unconscious mind into conflict with the conscious mind so it can be resolved. Psychoanalysis can be effective for patients with depression or anxiety - suggesting that unconscious conflict may lead to some neurotic mental health issues.
Weakness of Psychodynamic approach:
Overemphasis on Childhood:
It could be argued that Freud's approach overemphasises childhood experience as the source of abnormality.
Lack of Scientific Value:
Many of Freud's ideas are considered non-falsifiable - theories may appear to reflect evidence, but you cannot observe the relevant structures directly to test them scientifically, such that they could be proved wrong. Philosopher of science Karl Popper argued that a theory is not scientific if it is not falsifiable.
