Psychodynamic approach

• 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.
• The unconscious: The part of the mind we are unaware of but which directs most of our behaviour.
• Id: Entirely unconscious, made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification.
• Ego: The reality check that balances the conflicting demands of the Id and superego.
• Superego: The moralistic part of our personality which represents our ideal self, how we were taught to be.
• Defence mechanisms: Unconcious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and superego.
• Psychosexual stages: Five developmental stages that all children pass through. At each stage there is a different conflict which determines future development.
• What are the psychosexual stages?

  1. Oral (0-1 years)
  2. Anal (1-3 years)
  3. Phallic (3-6 years)
  4. Latency
  5. Genital
• Oral stage:

  • Focus of pleasure is in the mouth.
  • Consequence= Oral fixation e.g. smoking, biting nails, being sarcastic.
• Anal stage:

  • Focus of pleasure is in the anus.
  • Consequence= Anal retentive e.g. perfectionist. Anal expulsive e.g messy
• Phallic stage:

  • Focus of pleasure is in genital area.
  • Consequence= Phallic personality e.g narcissistic
• Latency stage:

  • Earlier conflicts are repressed.
• Genital stage:

  • Sexual desires become conscious alongside onset of puberty.
  • Consequence= Difficulty forming heterosexual relationships
• Defence mechanisms:

  • Ensure that the ego is able to prevent us from being overwhelmed by temporary threats.
  • Often involve distortion of reality, regarded as unhealthy
• Phycodynamic approach Evaluation (strength):

  • Real-world application as it introduced the idea of psychotherapy.
  • This was the first attempt to treat mental disorders psychologically.
• Psychodynamic approach evaluation (Limitation):

  • Real-world application counterpoint
  • Psychoanalysis can be seen as harmful for people with severe disorders.
• Psychodynamic approach Evaluation (strength):

  • It is a good way of explaining human behaviour, and it has had a huge impact on the way psychology is studied.
  • Positive impact.
• Psychodynamic approach Evaluation (limitation):

  • Untestable concepts.
  • Freud’s theories haven’t been tested therefore they are not a science.