Psychodynamic approach

Psychodynamic Approach

Early psychological theory emphasizing unconscious processes.

Sigmund Freud

Austrian neurologist, founder of psychodynamic theory.

Unconscious Mind

Mental processes outside of conscious awareness.

Tripartite Mind

Freud's model: id, ego, superego structure.

Id

Primitive part of personality, seeks immediate gratification.

Ego

Mediator between id and reality, rational decision-maker.

Superego

Moral conscience, internalized societal standards.

Psychosexual Development

Stages of personality development through childhood experiences.

Defence Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies to protect from anxiety.

Repression

Blocking distressing thoughts from consciousness.

Denial

Refusing to accept reality or facts.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions from original source to safer target.

Conscious Mind

Thoughts and feelings we are currently aware of.

Preconscious Mind

Thoughts accessible to consciousness, often during dreams.

Psychic Determinism

All behavior has a cause rooted in the unconscious.

Hysteria

Psychological condition treated by Freud, linked to trauma.

Psychoanalysis

Therapeutic method addressing unconscious conflicts.

Victorian Society

Culturally conservative context influencing Freud's theories.

Parapraxes

Errors revealing unconscious thoughts, like slips of the tongue.

Biological Approach

Focus on biological factors influencing behavior.

Traumatic Experiences

Past events impacting current psychological functioning.

Adult Personality

Formed by early childhood experiences and unconscious influences.

Dream Analysis

Technique to access unconscious through dreams.

Latent Content

Hidden meaning of dreams, often repressed ideas.

Manifest Content

Surface level of dreams as perceived by dreamer.

Free Association

Technique encouraging spontaneous verbal expression of thoughts.

Transference

Client projects feelings onto therapist from past figures.

Projective Test

Personality test revealing hidden emotions via ambiguous stimuli.

Rorschach Ink Blot Test

Test using ink blots to assess personality responses.

Psychoanalysis

Therapeutic approach focusing on unconscious mind and conflicts.

Oedipus Complex

Child's feelings of desire for opposite-sex parent.

Electra Complex

Girl's psychosexual competition with mother for father's affection.

Freudian Slip

Unintentional error revealing unconscious thoughts or feelings.

Dream Symbols

Objects in dreams representing deeper, often sexual meanings.

Repressed Ideas

Thoughts pushed out of conscious awareness due to anxiety.

Ego

Part of psyche mediating between conscious and unconscious.

Unconscious Mind

Part of mind containing repressed thoughts and feelings.

Therapist Interpretation

Analyzing dreams to provide insight into unconscious.

Rhythmical Activities

Symbolic of sexual intercourse in dream analysis.

Authority Figures

Representations of parental figures in dreams and therapy.

Penetration Symbols

Objects representing sexual penetration in dream content.

Hollow Objects

Symbolize female genitalia in dream analysis.

Curvy Objects

Represent breasts in the context of dream symbolism.

Freudian Slip

Unconscious thought revealed through verbal mistake.

Unconscious Mind

Holds repressed thoughts and biological drives.

Personality

Unique patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Tripartite Model

Freud's three-part structure of personality.

Id

Primitive part operating on the pleasure principle.

Pleasure Principle

Demands immediate gratification of desires.

Ego

Mediator that operates on the reality principle.

Reality Principle

Balances demands of id and superego realistically.

Superego

Internalized moral standards and conscience.

Morality Principle

Concerned with right and wrong actions.

Defense Mechanisms

Strategies to reduce conflict and anxiety.

Intra-psychic Conflict

Conflict within the psyche causing anxiety.

Abnormal Behavior

Results from conflict between id, ego, and superego.

Immediate Gratification

Desire for instant fulfillment of needs.

Anxiety Disorders

Result from a too-powerful superego.

Character A

Represents the Id in personality examples.

Character B

Represents the Ego in personality examples.

Character C

Represents the Superego in personality examples.

Repressed Thoughts

Anxiety-provoking thoughts held in the unconscious.

Projective Tests

Assess unconscious thoughts through ambiguous stimuli.

Biological Drives

Innate instincts influencing behavior and personality.

Guilt

Punishment from the superego for wrongdoing.

Self-Indulgent Behavior

Pursuit of pleasure without regard for consequences.

Defence Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies to protect from emotional pain.

Repression

Forcing distressing memories from conscious awareness.

Denial

Refusing to accept painful realities or truths.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions to a substitute target.

Ego

Part of personality mediating between id and superego.

Id

Primitive part of personality driven by instincts.

Superego

Moral conscience and societal rules in personality.

Psychoanalysis

Therapy aimed at uncovering unconscious motives.

Fixation

Stuck at a psychosexual stage affecting adulthood.

Psychosexual Development

Stages influencing personality based on childhood experiences.

Oedipus Complex

Boy's feelings of rivalry with father for mother's affection.

Castration Anxiety

Fear in boys of losing their masculinity.

Identification

Adopting values and behaviors of a parental figure.

Electra Complex

Girl's competition with mother for father's affection.

Penis Envy

Girl's feelings of inferiority due to lack of penis.

Latent Stage

Period of social development without sexual focus.

Genital Stage

Mature sexual intimacy and relationships in adulthood.

Oral Stage

Pleasure derived from oral activities in infancy.

Anal Stage

Focus on control and pleasure from bowel movements.

Phallic Stage

Awareness of gender differences and sexual identity.

Childhood Experiences

Early life events shaping adult personality.

Trauma

Severe emotional distress impacting psychological development.

Psychological Disorder

Condition affecting mental health and functioning.

Little Hans

A five-year-old boy studied by Freud.

Phobia

An irrational fear causing avoidance behavior.

Oedipal Conflict

Struggle between love for mother and rivalry with father.

Castration Anxiety

Fear of losing one's genitals as punishment.

Externalisation

Projecting internal conflicts onto external objects.

Psychodynamic Approach

Focus on unconscious processes influencing behavior.

Psychoanalysis

Therapeutic method using case studies and observations.

Defence Mechanisms

Psychological strategies to cope with anxiety.

Id

Primitive part of the mind seeking immediate gratification.

Ego

Rational part balancing id and reality.

Superego

Moral conscience regulating behavior and desires.