psychodynamic approach

• P: the development of psychoanalysis as an explanation of human behaviour represented a dramatic shift in psychological thinking.

  E: it suggested new methodological procedures for gathering evidence and the development of the approach was based on observations of behaviour rather than relying on introspection. Freud was the first to demonstrate the potential of psychological, rather than biological treatments for disorders

  L: this approach has led to successful treatments
• • unscientific
  • focuses on the unconscious which cant be observed
  • difficult to falsify
  • cant prove existence of id, ego, superego
  • based on assumptions
• P: Freud's views of women and female sexuality were less well developed than his views on male sexuality

  E: despite the fact that his theories were focused on sexual development, freud seemed content to remain ignorant of female sexuality and how it may differ from male sexuality. this led psychoanalysts, who broke away from freudian theory, to criticise his work, particularly his views on women and their development
• link for gender biased approach

  L: dismissing women and their sexuality in such a way is problematic, not only because freud treated many female patients, but also because his theories are still so influential today.