Outline and evaluate the psychodynamic approach

AO1: Who created the psychodynamic approach?

Sigmund Freud

AO1: What are the main assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

• The unconscious mind drives our behaviour

• The unconscious mind is made up of biological drives and instincts which influence our behaviour and personality.

• Childhood experiences have significant importance in determining our personality when we reach adulthood.

• Explains personality via the tripartite personality.

AO1: What does the tripartite personality consist of?

• Id

• Superego

• Ego

AO1: What is the Id?

The first part begins to develop from birth to 18 months. It can be found in the unconscious and is the selfish part of the mind.

It demands immediate satisfaction and is often irrational, not caring about reality

• When the Id is satisfied, we experience pleasure

• When the Id is not satisfied, we experience tension (known as the 'pleasure principle')

AO1: What is the Superego?

It is formed between 3-6 years and found in the unconscious.

Known as the 'morality principle' as it acts as a conscience by dictating what is right or wrong

Function is to control the Id's impulses, especially those which society forbids, such as sex and aggression.

AO1: What is the Ego?

It is formed between 18 months and 3 years and it’s the Conscious part of the mind that manages the conflict between the Id and Superego

Operates according to the 'reality principle' where it has to work out realistic ways of satisfying the Id's demands while also considering the social norms and rules required by the Superego.

AO1: What are defence mechanisms?

They are strategies that individuals use unconsciously to reduce anxiety caused by the conflict between the Id and Superego.

If the Id or Superego overpowers the Ego, a person will display negative behaviours and may have mental health issues.

AO1: What are the 3 defence mechanisms?

• Repression - putting unpleasant thoughts into the unconscious

• Denial - refusal to accept the reality of an unpleasant situation

• Displacement - expressing strong emotions out on neutral objects/persons

AO1: What are the 5 psychosexual stages?

OLD AGE PENSIONERS LOVE GREENS

• Oral stage

• Anal Stage

• Phallic stage

• Latency stage

• Genital stage

AO1: Describe the oral stage

It occurs from birth to 1 year and focuses on the mouth

The baby gets much satisfaction from putting all sorts of things in its mouth to satisfy the libido

• If a child is underfed, the might become a pessimistic, envious, and suspicious adult 

• If a child is overfed, they could become optimistic and gullible

A person who is fixated at this stage may be over-dependent on others and may seek oral stimulation via smoking, drinking or eating.

AO1: Describe the anal stage

It occurs from 2-3 years and focuses on the bowel & bladder

The libido becomes focused on the anus, and the child derives great pleasure from defecating

Early potty training could lead to the 'anal-retentive personality', who hates mess, is obsessively tidy and respectful of authority

Late potty training could lead to the 'anal-expulsive personality', who is messy, disorganised and rebellious

AO1: Describe the phallic stage

It occurs from 3-6 years and Focuses on the genitals 

Oedipus and Electra complex

Children become increasingly aware of their bodies, exhibiting a heightened interest in their own genitals and those of the opposite sex.

If fixated, could lead to personalities that are overly vain, exhibitionistic and sexually aggressive.

AO1: What is the oedipus and electra complex?

Oedipus complex: The attachment of the boy to the mother, accompanied by envious and aggressive feelings toward the father.

Electra complex: A young girl's attraction to the parent of the opposite sex during the phallic stage - penis envy as girl covets her father but realises she lacks a penis.

AO1: Describe the latency stage

It occurs from 6 years to puberty

This is when the libido is dormant 

Sexual impulses are repressed, leading to a relative period of calm

AO1: Describe the genital stage

It occurs from puberty and onwards

Libido re-emerges and is directed towards peers of the other sex 

Individuals start to become sexually mature and begin to explore sexual feelings

AO3: Gender biased approach (Limitation)

Psychoanalysis is a gender-biased approaches.

Freud's views on women and female sexuality were much less developed than his views on male sexuality.

Freud chose to remain ignorant on female sexuality and how it differs to males. He views, "femininity as failed masculinity." This lead to psychoanalysists such as Karen Horney, who broke away from Freudian theory, to criticise his work.

Dismissing women and their sexuality in such a way is problematic. One reason being is that his work is still influential today and also the fact he treated many female patients with this mentality.

AO3: Psychic determinism (Limitation)

Suggests people are prisoners of their childhood experiences and unable to escape.

Freud argues that individuals do not have free will in their behaviour and that their lives will be determined by their past and unconscious mind.

May lead to fatalism and a negative self-fulfilling prophecy.

AO3: Real world application (Strength)

It involves a therapist helping a patient bring repressed memories or traumatic events into their conscious to be dealt with.

It has shown to be effective in comparison to control groups who receive no therapy at all.

AO3: Comprehensive theory (Strength)

Psychoanalysis is a comprehensive theory.

One of the main strengths of psychoanalysis is the comprehensive nature of it.

Other than therapeutic applications it can be used to explain many other behavioural aspects outside psychology. e.g. as a form as literary criticism....

As a result, we are able to interpret these works using psychoanalytic concepts, delving into the mind of author/ fictional character and so enriching our understanding of their psychoanalytic state.