The Psychodynamic approach

What does the psychodynamic approach suggest

The psychodynamic approach describes any theory that emphasises change and development in the individual. It is used to describe theories where drive is a central concept in this development

What is the unconscious

The part of the mind which we are unaware of but which directs much of our behaviour

What did Freud believe about the unconscious

Freud believed that most of our everyday actions and behaviours are not controlled consciously 

• are the product of the unconscious mind

• only reveals itself in slips of the tongue "Freudian slips" in creativity and in neurotic symptoms

What are the structures of personality

Freud divided the brain into 3 sub-sections

Id = entirely unconscious, the Id is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification

Ego = the "reality check" that balances the conflicting demands of the Id and the superego

Superego = the moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self - how we ought to be

What are defence mechanisms

 Unconscious strategies that the Ego uses to manage the conflict between the Id and the superego

Why are defence mechanisms important

If an individual is faced with a situation they are unable to deal with rationally

• Defence mechanisms are triggered

• They tend to operate unconsciously and work by distorting reality

• Which means anxiety is controlled

Examples

1. Repression = the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts or impulses

2. Denial = the refusal to accept reality so tend to avoid having to deal with any painful feelings

3. Displacement = the redirecting of thoughts or feelings where the person feels unable to express them in the presence of the person

What did Freud believe about the psychosexual stages

Freud believed that personality developed through a sequence of 5 psychosexual stages

• These stages emphasise the most important driving force in development as the need to express sexual energy

What are the Psychosexual stages

What are some strengths of the psychodynamic approach

A pioneering approach to understanding human behaviour

The development of psychoanalysis as an explanation of human behaviour represented a dramatic shift in psychological thinking.

• new methodological procedures for gathering evidence (case studies)

• based on observations of behaviour

• examining one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings

• Freud and his followers demonstrated potential of psychological rather than biological treatments

• disorders such as depression and anxiety

• successful treatments

• de Maat et al.’s (2009) large-scale review of psychotherapy studies

• psychoanalysis produced significant improvements in symptoms

• improvements maintained in years after treatment

Scientific support for the psychoanalytic approach

Critics of psychoanalysis often claim there is no scientific evidence for psychoanalysis and that its claims are not testable or falsifiable.

• many claims tested and confirmed using scientific methodology

• Fisher and Greenberg (1996) summarised 2,500 studies

• experimental studies compare well with studies relevant to any other major area of psychology

• support for unconscious motivation in human behaviour

• defence mechanisms: repression, denial and displacement

• scientific credibility to psychoanalytic explanations of human behaviour

Psychoanalysis: a comprehensive theory

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

• therapeutic applications

• explains many aspects of human behaviour outside psychology

• form of literary criticism

• Shakespeare’s Hamlet

• repressed messages hidden beneath surface of text

• aspects of Hamlet’s psyche = projection of Shakespeare’s own mind

• interpret works using psychoanalytic concepts

• delve into mind of author or fictional character

• enrich understanding of psychological state

What are some limitations of the psychodynamic approach

Psychoanalysis is a gender-biased approach

Freud’s views of women and female sexuality were less well developed than his views on male sexuality.

• theories focused on sexual development

• Freud ignorant of female sexuality and how it may differ from male sexuality

• Karen Horney criticised Freud’s work

• criticised views on women and development

• dismissing women and their sexuality problematic

• Freud treated many female patients

• theories still influential today

Psychoanalysis is a culture-biased approach

Sue and Sue (2008) argue that psychoanalysis has little relevance for people from non-Western cultures.

• mental illnesses = traumatic memories locked in the unconscious

• therapy frees memories through supportive therapeutic environment

• many cultural groups do not value insight in the same way Western cultures do

• China example: depressed or anxious person avoids distressing thoughts rather than discussing them openly

• contrasts with Western belief that open discussion and insight are always helpful in therapy