psycodynamic

• What does the psychodynamic approach assume about early childhood experiences?

  They play a key role in later outcomes
• What might happen if someone is 'stuck' in the oral phase?

  They may exhibit addiction or neediness
• How might dysfunctional parental behavior affect an individual?

  It may lead to defense mechanism behavior
• What is a key assumption of the psychodynamic approach regarding the mind?

  Much of the mind is inaccessible to awareness
• What metaphor did Freud use to explain levels of consciousness?

  The iceberg metaphor
• What does the hidden portion of the iceberg represent?

  The unconscious mind
• What is a core principle of the psychodynamic approach?

  Unconscious thoughts may disturb conscious awareness
• What are the three levels of consciousness according to Freud?

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

  The part of the mind the individual is aware of
• What is the preconscious mind?

  It sits just below the conscious mind
• What do Freudian slips reveal?

  Secret feelings of the individual
• What do dreams reveal according to Freud?

  Secret fears and desires
• What does the unconscious mind hold?

  Information and feelings the individual may not know
• What is the purpose of psychoanalysis according to psychodynamic therapists?

  To confront frightening parts of the unconscious
• What are the three parts of Freud's tripartite structure of personality?

  • Id
  • Ego
  • Superego
• When does the Id develop according to Freud?

  From birth
• What principle does the Id operate on?

  The pleasure principle
• What does the Id seek?

  Self-indulgent pleasure and instant gratification
• When does the Ego develop?

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

  The reality principle
• What role does the Ego play in personality?

  Mediates between Id and Superego
• When does the Superego develop?

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

  The morality principle
• What does the Superego represent?

  Internalized sense of right and wrong
• What are the strengths of the psychodynamic approach?

  • Links childhood experiences to adult behavior
  • Informs therapy practices
  • High external validity
• What are the limitations of Freud's theory?

  • Difficult to test and measure
  • Lacks scientific methodology
  • Assumes psychic determinism
• What do defense mechanisms help the Ego manage?

  Conflicting demands of Id and Superego
• How do defense mechanisms operate?

  At an unconscious level
• What is displacement as a defense mechanism?

  Redirecting strong emotions to a neutral person
• What is repression as a defense mechanism?

  Pushing distressing memories into the unconscious
• What is denial as a defense mechanism?

  Refusal to accept unpleasant realities
• What are the psychosexual stages of development according to Freud?

  1. Oral (0-1 years)
  2. Anal (1-3 years)
  3. Phallic (3-6 years)
  4. Latent (6 years to puberty)
  5. Genital (puberty onwards)
• What happens if a child becomes 'stuck' at a psychosexual stage?

  They may develop a fixation affecting adulthood
• What is the main indicator of healthy development in psychosexual stages?

  Successfully navigating the phallic phase
• What is the Oedipus complex?

  Unconscious desire for closeness to the mother
• What is the Electra complex?

  Girls' desire for closeness to the father
• What did Freud interpret Little Hans' horse phobia as evidence of?

  The Oedipus complex
• What are the consequences of unresolved conflict in the psychosexual stages?

  • Oral: Addiction, neediness
  • Anal: Perfectionism, chaos
  • Phallic: Vanity, narcissism
  • Genital: Difficulty in relationships
• What are the strengths of defense mechanisms and psychosexual stages?

  • Helps recognize underlying conflicts
  • Provides insights into personality development
  • Supported by some research
• What are the limitations of Freud's research?

  • Under-powered methodology
  • Subjective interpretations
  • Lack of scientific reliability