The Psychodynamic Approach

• What does the Psychodynamic Approach explain about the mind?

  Most of our mind is unconscious
• According to Freud, how many parts are there to our mind?

  Three parts
• What are the three parts of the mind according to Freud?

  The Conscious, Preconscious, Unconscious
• What does the Conscious Mind involve?

  All things currently aware and thinking
• What is the Preconscious Mind?

  Latent parts readily available to consciousness
• What does the Unconscious Mind contain?

  Disturbing memories and trauma
• How can unconscious thoughts manifest?

  Through Freudian slips and dreams
• What are the three components of personality according to Freud?

  Id, Ego, Superego
• What is the Id?

  The primitive part of our personality
• What principle does the Id operate on?

  The pleasure principle
• When does the Ego develop?

  Around the age of 2
• What principle does the Ego operate on?

  The reality principle
• What is the Superego?

  Our internalised sense of right and wrong
• When does the Superego develop?

  Around the age of 5
• What principle does the Superego operate on?

  The morality principle
• How does the Superego interact with the Ego?

  It punishes and rewards the Ego
• What happens if the Id is more dominant?

  Person becomes impulsive and uncontrollable
• What happens if the Superego is more dominant?

  Person becomes moralistic and judgmental
• What are the three Defence Mechanisms according to Freud?

  • Displacement
  • Repression
  • Denial
• What is Displacement as a defence mechanism?

  Redirecting emotional reaction to another object
• What is Repression as a defence mechanism?

  Exclusion of distressing memories from consciousness
• What is Denial as a defence mechanism?

  Refusal to acknowledge unpleasant facts
• What are the stages of psychosexual development and their age ranges?

  • Oral: 0-1 years
  • Anal: 1-3 years
  • Phallic: 3-6 years
  • Latency: 6-11 years
  • Genital: Puberty to adulthood
• What is the focus of pleasure during the Oral stage?

  The mouth
• What conflict can arise during the Anal stage?

  Conflict during toilet training
• What are the consequences of unresolved conflict in the Oral stage?

  Overeating, smoking, perfectionism
• What is the focus of pleasure during the Phallic stage?

  The genital area
• What complex arises during the Phallic stage?

  The Oedipus or Electra complex
• What is the focus of pleasure during the Genital stage?

  The genitals
• What happens during the Oedipus complex?

  Boys desire closeness with opposite-sex parent
• What do boys fear during the Oedipus complex?

  Fear of castration by their father
• How do boys resolve anxiety during the Oedipus complex?

  By identifying with their father
• What do girls experience during the Electra complex?

  Penis envy
• How do girls resolve anxiety during the Electra complex?

  By identifying with their mother
• What are the strengths of Freud's psychodynamic approach?

  • Huge influence on psychology
  • Explains personality and moral development
  • Highlights childhood experiences' impact
• What are the weaknesses of Freud's psychodynamic approach?

  • Inappropriate for serious mental disorders
  • Untestable concepts
  • Considered pseudoscientific
• What is psychoanalysis?

  The first psychological treatment for disorders
• What is a limitation of psychoanalysis?

  Inappropriate for serious mental disorders
• Why are some concepts in the psychodynamic approach untestable?

  They occur at an unconscious level
• How does Freud's theory impact modern therapies?

  Psychoanalysis is a precursor to modern therapies