The Psychodynamic Approach

• The Psychodynamic Approach

  • Developed by Freud
  • Focuses mainly on explaining personality
  • Forms the basis of psychoanalytic theory
• Role of the Unconscious

  • Freud believed a large part of the mind is inaccessible (unconscious) but influences behaviour. Like an iceberg
  • Unconscious concerns info the conscious mind would be uncomfortable with - its repressed by defence mechanisms to protect from anxiety
• Defence Mechanisms

  • Repression - Unpleasant memory is pushed into the unconscious mind where it is not accessible to the conscious mind - can't induce anxiety
  • Denial This is a refusal to accept the reality of an unpleasant situation - reduces anxiety caused by that situation.
  • Displacement - Redirecting a strong emotion onto a neutral person/object. This reduces anxiety by allowing expression of that emotion.
• Structure of personality

  ID - Present at birth. Seeks instant gratification

  Ego - Develops in anal stage. Mediator

  Superego - Develops in phallic stage. Pushes us to be good.
• Psychosexual Stages

  Oral 0-2 yrs: Mouth focus. ID is dominant. Gratification achieved via feeding

  Anal 2-3 yrs: Anus focus. Ego develops via potty training. Gratification gained through expelling/withholding faeces

  Phallic 3-6yrs: Genital focus. Child passes through Oedipus/Electra stage. Gender identity & superego develop

  Latency 6-12yrs: Developing relationship with others focus. Previous three conflict stages are repressed

  Genital 12+: Focus of sexual energy directed toward relationships w/sexual partners

  RS: Little Hans case study

  
• Evaluating The Psychodynamic Approach

  - Can't be studied scientifically. Unconscious can't be measured. Can't say if the approach is valid/not. No scientific credibility

  - Relies on case studies. Rare. Lacks ecological validity. Low generalizability

  + Introduced new form of therapy. Psychanalysis uses range of techniques to access the unconscious (e.g hypnosis) . External validity-has external validity