psychodynamic theory

• what did freud believe

  • our personality consists of 3 parts (id, ego and superego) and are always at conflict with each other
  • however this conflict happens unconsciously so we unaware of it
  • he believed people born with biological instincts in the unconscious mind and as we grow we have to learn to control our instincts in order to be accepted & fit in society
• describe the id

  • present from birth
  • is the pleasure principle & demands immediate gratification of our drives , irrespective of whats appropriate (social circumstances)
  • driven by our instincts including death and life instinct
  • EROS=life instinct to ensure we survive
  • THANATOS = death instincts ( self-destructive behaviour )
• describe the ego

  • develops from 2 yrs old
  • role to maintain balance between biological needs ( id) & need to follow societies rules ( superego )
  • ego helps us find ways to satisfy instincts in socially appropriate ways ( fantasising the act rather than punching someone )
• role of superego

  • develops between 3-6 ( when we start to learn right from wrong )
  • the morality principle so opposes the id with feelings of guilt if not meeting the highest moral standards
  • always at conflict with id and what we want
• whats catharsis

  • process of releasing 'pent up' psychic energy
  • means to 'cleanse'
  • if we dont demonstrate catharsis, results in build up of aggression focused on us or others
  • if we act in a cathartic way we vent our aggression
• name the 3 defence mechanisms and what they for

  • ways of releasing aggressive impulses by the id but morality of superego
  • displacement, projection and sublimation
• displacement

  • person redirects emotional reaction from rightful recipient to another person ( cant be aggressive to boss so show aggression to friend or object )
• sublimation

  • channeling unwanted feelings into a positive outlet that gives positives feelings ( playing sport or games )
• projection

  • giving unwanted feelings/behaviours unconsciously attributes to another person ( e.g woman criticising her daughter for interrupting her, but her herself regularly interrupts the daughter)
• supporting and critical evidence

  • + verona found people who react aggressively when frustrated have reduced HR than those who don't act aggressively. showing catharsis used to reduce urges of id & help us behave in acceptable way
  • -bandura= through role models we learn aggression rather than a desire to satisfy unconscious biological urges from id
• evaluation points

  • +supports individual differences as peoples experiences within childhood affect our morality principle within superego
  • -freuds work often subjective bases on interpretation as case studies like little hans use dream analysis