A-Level Psychodynamic Approach

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts of the A-level psychodynamic approach, including the levels of consciousness, the tripartite personality, psychosexual stages, and evaluation points (AO3).

Conscious

The part of consciousness where an individual is aware of what they think of and can access their thoughts without any effort.

Preconscious

The part of consciousness containing thoughts and memories that are not in immediate conscious awareness, but can be accessed when demanded.

Unconscious

The part of the mind containing memories and thoughts that cannot be consciously accessed, requiring a trained psychoanalyst to reach.

Tripartite Personality

The psychodynamic theory stating that personality consists of three main components: the ID, the ego, and the superego.

ID

The component of personality present from birth that operates on the 'pleasure principle' to satisfy biological and psychological needs with instant satisfaction, exemplified by babies crying when they feel unsafe.

Pleasure Principle

The operating drive of the ID aimed at seeking pleasure and instant satisfaction to fulfill biological and psychological needs.

EGO

The personality component developing during the first $3$ years of life that mediates conflicts between the superego and the ID, balancing moral conflicts and internal drives under the reality principle.

Reality Principle

The operating principle of the EGO, satisfying the ID's desires in realistic and socially acceptable ways rather than seeking immediate satisfaction.

SUPER EGO

The internal moral compass developing around ages $4\text{--}6$ representing the same-sex parent's values and ideals; it operates on the morality principle, judges actions, promotes ethical behavior through self-satisfaction, and punishes with guilt.

Morality Principle

The principle under which the SUPER EGO operates to judge an individual's actions against internal values and ideals.

Psychosexual Stages

A theory outlining five developmental stages (Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital) during which personality focuses on pleasure-seeking fixations at different ages.

Libido

The pleasure-seeking fixations that occur during specific psychosexual stages across different ages.

Empirical Evidence (AO3 Limitation)

A criticism of the psychodynamic approach stating it lacks scientific research around its theories and relies on individual case studies that only apply to the person involved, making it less scientific than other approaches.

Real World Application (AO3 Strength)

A positive evaluation point noting that key concepts of the psychodynamic approach and Freudian theories can be successfully applied to modern therapeutic treatments.