psychodynamic theory essay plan

• Psychodynamic theory AO1


  we have three areas in the mind: the conscious (thought s we are aware of and control). preconscious (thoughts we may be aware of due to dreams and slips of tongue), and unconscious (thoughts we are unaware of and repressed material - these can directly influence our behaviour and lead to underlying causes of aggression

  . we have innate drives from the Eros (life instinct) and Thanatos (death instinct) - aggression occurs when we direct the Thanatos away from us to protect ourselves and onto others

  - are 3 parts to personality - Id, Ego, Superego:

  Id = operates on pleasure principle + demands immediate gratification for urges of Eros and Thanatos, no moral principle, present from birth.

  Ego = works on reality principle and is rational and logical to mediate desires of Id and superego, develops around 2 yrs. Superego = operates on morality principle, represents our moral sense of right and wrong, develops around 5 yrs

  . developmental issues of ego or superego means urges no longer remain in unconscious mind as Id is in control = aggression

  . ego has defense mechanisms to control this eg displacement, reaction formation, denial, repression

  .Catharsis = process of releasing negative energy from mind by venting and satisfying our violent impulses in a safer way - preventing catharsis can cause a build up of energy which results in destructive aggression.
• Psychodynamic theory AO3 strength

  accounts for role of both nature and nurture - id is present from birth and ego develops with socialization = highlights the innate tendency for aggression and role of parenting in development of aggression = not reductionist

  CA: however doesn't explain how other factors eg brain structure may affect aggression

  SW: accounting for both nature and nurture means it has taken other variables into account so aggression is explained through both aspects of life
• Psychodynamic theory AO3 weakness

  evidence: Verona and Sullivan - provides an objective method to study a mechanism that works on an unconscious level = provides support to the theory

  CA: does dispute catharsis as showed the overall aggressive drive had not reduced and it is very hard to measure hypothetical constructs like the unconscious mind = hard to provide credible evidence

  SW: evidence is weakness as goes against theory's ideas of catharsis