Psychology Psychodynamic Approach - KO Full

psychodynamic approach

Describes the forces which exist deep within the self and which control the thoughts and feelings of the individual.

psyche

The self or the mind in all of its aspects.

the unconscious

A vast reservoir of thoughts, feelings, desires and memories, many of which are unacceptable to us and hard to tolerate. The role of the unconscious is to direct our thoughts and behaviours even though we are unaware of what is in our unconscious.

the preconscious

The thoughts and ideas towards the top of the unconscious of which we may become aware during dreams or through slips of the tongue.

structure of personality

The description of the three parts of the personality and the relationship between them.

id

The primitive part of our personality, operating on the pleasure principle.

ego

The rational, conscious part of our personality.: based on the reality principle

superego

The part of our personality which acts as our conscience and our moral guide. It is based on the morality principle.

defence mechanisms

Unconscious strategies employed to deal with conflict which may prevent us from being overwhelmed by anxiety in the short term but are not sustainable in the long term.

repression

Banishing any thoughts, feelings or memories that cause anxiety into the unconscious

denial

Refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities

displacement

The focus of a strong emotion is shifted to a neutral or alternative person or object.

psychosexual stage

A period of time dominated by a different conflict within the psyche

fixation

A lingering focus of pleasure seeking energies at an earlier psychosexual stage in which feelings were unresolved: it can continue into adulthood with harmful consequences.

oral stage

Focus of pleasure is the mouth and mother's breast is the object of desire

anal stage

The child gains pleasure from withholding or expelling faeces.

phallic stage

Focus on the genitals, with the emergence of the Oedipus complex in males and the Electra complex and penis envy in females.

latency stage

Sexual energy (libido) remains latent or hidden.

genital stage

Sexual desires become conscious alongside the onset of puberty.

psychoanalytic therapies

Therapies which uncover conflicts in the unconscious and to identify defence mechanisms.

case studies

Detailed studies of a single individual, group, institution or event.

subjective

Based on prejudices and personal opinion

inferences

Conclusions drawn on the basis of something which is known to be true.

empirical method

A way of finding out about the world based on things we can see, hear and measure.

objectivity

The process of minimising sources of personal bias within the research process.

alpha bias

The bias which occurs when psychological theory or research suggests that there is a real and enduring difference between males and females

deterministic

A theory or explanation which suggests that thoughts, feelings and actions are not the product of free will