Psychodynamic

• What is the psychodynamic approach in psychology?

  It is one of the earliest approaches established after Wundt but before behaviourism.
• Who is the main figure in psychodynamic theory?

  Sigmund Freud
• In which time period did the psychodynamic approach originate?

  Late 1800s
• How did Victorian society influence the psychodynamic approach?

  It was a conservative, repressed, and male-dominated society.
• What are the key assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

  1. Unconscious processes determine behavior.
  2. Personality consists of the id, ego, and superego.
  3. Early childhood experiences shape adult personality.
  4. Psychic determinism: all actions have a cause.
• What are the three parts of personality according to Freud?

  The id, ego, and superego.

  
• What does the term 'psychic determinism' refer to?

  It refers to the idea that unconscious forces and drives control behavior.
• What are the three levels of the mind according to Freud?

  1. Conscious: thoughts and perceptions we are aware of.
  2. Preconscious: thoughts and ideas that can become conscious.
  3. Unconscious: repressed memories and instincts we are unaware of.
• How did Freud use the metaphor of the iceberg to describe the mind?

  The tip of the iceberg represents the conscious mind, while the larger part hidden underwater represents the unconscious mind.

  
• What is the latent content of dreams according to Freud?

  It refers to the repressed ideas that appear in dreams.
• What is the manifest content of dreams?

  It is the dream as it appears to the dreamer, including symbols that disguise unacceptable ideas.
• What is the purpose of dream analysis in psychodynamic therapy?

  To interpret dreams and provide insight into the unconscious mind.
• What is free association in psychodynamic therapy?

  It is when individuals are encouraged to relax and say anything that comes to mind.
• What are Freudian slips?

  They are unintentional errors in speech that reveal unconscious thoughts.
• What are the three components of personality in Freud's tripartite model?

  1. The id: primitive part operating on the pleasure principle.
  2. The ego: mediator operating on the reality principle.
  3. The superego: internalized sense of right and wrong.

  
• What is the role of the ego in Freud's model of personality?

  The ego mediates between the id and superego and operates on the reality principle.

  
• What is the function of the superego?

  It is our internalized sense of right and wrong that punishes the ego for wrongdoing.
• What are defense mechanisms in psychodynamic theory?

  • Unconscious strategies used by the ego to manage anxiety.
  • They distort reality and are considered psychologically unhealthy in the long term.
• What is repression as a defense mechanism?

  It is the process of forcing distressing memories out of conscious awareness.
• What is denial as a defense mechanism?

  It is refusing to acknowledge some aspects of reality.
• What is displacement as a defense mechanism?

  It is transferring feelings from the true source of distress to a substitute target.
• What is an example of displacement?

  John shouts at his friend after having a fight with his parents.
• What is an example of denial?

  Amelia refuses to acknowledge her lump and believes it is just a cyst.
• What is an example of repression?

  Tamsin forces memories of a frightening experience into her unconscious mind.
• What are the psychosexual stages proposed by Freud?

  1. Oral stage
  2. Anal stage
  3. Phallic stage
  4. Latent stage
  5. Genital stage

  • Each stage involves seeking pleasure from different objects.

  
• What is the Oedipus complex?

  It is a boy's desire for his mother and rivalry with his father during the phallic stage.
• What is the Electra complex?

  It is a girl's desire for her father and rivalry with her mother during the phallic stage.
• What evidence did Freud use to support the Oedipus complex?

  He used the case study of Little Hans, who developed a phobia of horses.

  
• What are the weaknesses of using case studies in psychodynamic research?

  • Subjective methods lead to different interpretations.
  • Findings cannot be generalized to the entire population.
• What are the criticisms of the psychodynamic approach regarding scientific validity?

  • Concepts like the Oedipus complex are untestable.
  • The approach does not meet the criteria of falsification.

  
• What is the real-life application of Freud's theories?

  • His work influenced modern psychology and therapy.
  • Psychoanalysis introduced techniques to access the unconscious.
• What is the psychodynamic approach's stance on the human condition?

  • It takes a negative stance, rejecting free will.
  • It views humans as slaves to their past experiences.