The psychodynamic approach:

• What is the psychodynamic approach?

  A perspective that describes the different forces (dynamics), most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience.
• What are some basic assumptions of the Psychodynamic approach?

  • The psychodynamic approach emphasises the role of the unconscious motives and desires as well as early childhood experiences in shaping behaviour
  • The psychodynamic approach is most closely associated with the work of Sigmund Freud
• What metaphor did Freud use to describe the unconscious mind?

  Iceberg
• The role of the unconscious:

  • The tip of the iceberg represents the conscious mind
  • The conscious mind is the part of the mind that we are aware of
  • The much larger part of the iceberg that is hidden underwater represents the unconscious mind
  • The unconscious mind is the part of the mind that we are unaware of
  • Freud believed that the unconscious mind is a vast storehouse of drives and instincts that have a significant influence on our behaviour
  • Freud believed that the unconscious mind reveals itself in dreams and slips of tongue
• What are the three parts of our personality according to Freud?

  1. Id
  2. Ego
  3. Superego
• What is the Id?

  • present from birth
  • operates solely in the unconscious mind
  • operates according to the pleasure principle
  • It demands immediate gratification regardless of circumstances
  • It is the primitive, irrational and selfish part of the personality
• What is ego?

  • Develops around the age of two years as a consequence of experience with reality
  • operates in the conscious and the unconscious mind
  • operates according to the reality principle
  • it is our awareness of the realities of the external world
  • It is the rational part of the personality and mediates between the other two parts of the personality
• What is the superego?

  • Develops between the ages of 3-6 years
  • Operates in the conscious and unconscious mind
  • Operates according to the morality principle
  • It is our internalised sense of right and wrong
  • It is passed on to us from our same-sex parent and represents their moral standards
• What are the three defence mechanisms in Freudian theory?

  1. repression
  2. denial
  3. displacement
• What is repression?

  • Forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind and into the unconscious mind
  • repressed thoughts continue to influence behaviour despite the individual being unaware of them
  • For example, an individual who was abused as a child may have no recollection of these events but have trouble forming relationships
• What is denial?

  • refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality so as to avoid having to deal with any painful feelings that might be associated with it
  • For example, an alcoholic may deny they have a drinking problem
• What is displacement?

  • Redirecting thoughts or feelings from the true source of distress to a substitute target
  • 'taking it out' on a helpless victim or object
  • For example, after having an argument an individual may slam the door
• What are the psychosexual phases?

  Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital
• What is one strength of the psychodynamic approach?

  It shifted psychological thinking significantly
• How did the psychodynamic approach influence psychology in the 20th century?

  It was a dominant force alongside behaviorism
• What phenomena has the psychodynamic approach been used to explain?

  Personality development and psychological disorders
• What connection does the psychodynamic approach highlight?

  The link between childhood experiences and later behavior
• What does the influence of the psychodynamic approach suggest about its significance in psychology?

  It has had a significant impact on the field
• Give me a strength of the psychodynamic approach?

  One strength is that, as well as the theoretical basis of the psychodynamic approach. Freud also developed a form of therapy called psychoanalysis.
• Give me a weakness of the psychodynamic approach?

  One weakness is that the philosopher Karl Popper argued that the psychodynamic approach does not meet the scientific criterion of falsification.
• Give me another weakness of the psychodynamic approach?

  One weakness is that Freud's theory was based upon the intensive study of single individuals.
• Give me another weakness of the psychodynamic approach?

  One weakness is that the approach is deterministic