psychology P2 approaches

psychodynamic, behaviourist, social learning theory, humanistic, cognitive, biological, cognitive neuroscience

what are the key assumptions of the psychodynamic approach

behaviour is driven by unconscious forces, early childhood experiences are fundamental in shaping adult personality, the mind is in 3 levels, personality is structured as 3 dynamic components, psychological conflict between the id and superego leads to conflict therefore behaviour, ego uses defence mechanisms

role of the conscious mind

part of mind of which we are immediately aware

role of the preconscious mind

material not currently in awareness that can easily be retrieved

role of the unconscious

largest part which contains biological drives, instincts, and socially unacceptable wishes and desires which affect all behaviour even though inaccessible

tripartite personality - id

present from birth, entirely unconscious, made up of instincts and biological drives, pleasure principle, demands immediate gratification of desires

tripartite personality - ego

emerges age 2, mainly conscious, ensures id’s wants are acceptable in real world using logic, reason and planning, reality principle, mediates between id, superego and external world

tripartite personality - superego

emerges age 5, both conscious and unconscious, develops through resolution of oedipus/electra complex, morality principle, judges behaviour against internalised moral standards and produces guilt when violated

strong id

schizophrenia

strong superego

OCD

defence mechanism - repression

forcing distressing memory out of the conscious mind into the unconscious

defence mechanisms - denial

ego refuses to accept an unpleasant or threatening reality

defence mechanisms - displacement

emotions, especially aggression, are redirected away from the original threatening target onto a safer substitute

psychosexual stages - oral

0-18 months, libido focus is mouth, key conflict to resolve is weaning from the breast or bottle, fixation characteristics if unresolved include oral activities, smoking, dependency, aggression, obesity, and alcoholism.

psychosexual stages - anal

18 months - 3 years, libido focus is anus, key conflict to resolve is toilet training, fixation characteristics if unresolved include obsessiveness, tidiness, meanness, untidiness, generosity, need for control and being respectful

psychosexual stages - phallic

3-6 years, libido focus is genitals, key conflict to resolve is oedipus / electra complex, fixation characteristics if unresolved include vanity, self-obsession, sexual anxiety, inadequacy, inferiority, envy, struggle in intimate relationships and being sexually aggressive

psychosexual stages - latency

6-11 years, libido focus is no erogenous zone, no primary psychosexual conflict to resolve, fixation characteristics if unresolved include inadequacy, insecurity, and socila isolation.

psychosexual stages - genital

puberty onwards, libido focus is genitals, key conflict to resolve is achieving mature, other-focused sexual relationships. fixation characteristics if failure to resolve include sexual dysfunction, and difficulty forming healthy relationships

case study for psychosexual stages

little hans - resembled oedipus complex

key assumptions of the behaviourist approach

all behaviour learnt through environment, should study only observable, measurable behaviour, mind is blank slate at birth, humans learn in same way as animals, causes of behaviour are external