The Psychodynamic Approach

Psychodynamic approach

A perspective that describes the different forces (dynamics), most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience.

Unconscious

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

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

Personality, which represents the ideal self-how we ought to be.

The role of the unconscious

Sigmund Freud suggested that the part of our mind that we know about and are aware of - the conscious mind - is merely the tip of the iceberg. Most of our mind is made up of the unconscious, a vast storehouse of biological drives and instincts that have a significant influence on our behaviour and personality.

The structure of personality

Freud described personality as 'tripartite,' composed of three parts: the ID, the Ego, and the Superego.

Psychosexual stages

Freud claimed that child development occurs in five stages, each marked by a different conflict that the child must resolve in order to progress successfully to the next stage.

Psychic determinism

The psychodynamic approach suggests that much of our behaviour is determined by unconscious conflicts rooted in childhood, dismissing the influence of free will on behaviour.

Little Hans

Freud's case study of a five-year-old boy named Hans who developed a phobia of horses. Freud suggested that his phobia was a

Defence mechanisms

Unconscious strategies that the Ego uses to manage the conflict between the ID and the Superego.

Displacement

Redirecting strong emotions from their original source to a neutral person or object to reduce anxiety.

Repression

Pushing unpleasant memories into the unconscious mind to prevent anxiety. (e.g. locking down memories of being bullied)

Denial

Refusing to accept the reality of an unpleasant situation to avoid anxiety. (e.g. believing partner loves you despite staying out all night)