Describe two assumptions of psych app (4+4)

• Influence of childhood experiences

  One key assumption of the psychodynamic approach is that childhood experiences shape adult personality. Freud proposed that psychological development occurs through five psychosexual stages, where the libido is focused on different body parts. For example, during the oral stage (0-18 months), pleasure is centred on the mouth through activities like sucking or biting. If a child is frustrated or overindulged in this stage - such as being weaned too early or breastfed for too long - they may become fixated. Fixation can lead to adult traits like sarcasm or dependency. This suggests that unresolved conflicts in childhood stages have lasting effects on personality development, supporting the idea that early experiences are critical in shaping adult behaviour.
• Unconscious mind

  Another assumption is that much of our behaviour is influenced by the unconscious mind. Freud believed that the unconscious stores repressed thoughts and unresolved conflicts, which influence behaviour without our awareness. For instance, a child feeling rejected due to a new sibling may unconsciously use ego defence mechanisms like regression - acting younger to gain attention, such as soiling themselves. These mechanisms (including repression and displacement) protect the ego from anxiety but can lead to psychological issues if overused. This highlights how unconscious processes, rather than rational thought, play a significant role in shaping human behaviour, aligning with the psychodynamic view.