Psychodynamic Approach - Assumption 1

In what way do events in our childhood affect adult personality according to Freud?

Traumatic events that occur in childhood may be repressed and can remain in the unconscious causing problems in adulthood.

What affect do childhood relationships have on our adult relationships according to Freud?

The psychodynamic theory stresses the importance of relationships, particularly those with family members. We use our childhood relationships as a template for our adult relationships.

How does childhood relationship with the opposite-sex parent affect adult relationships according to Freud?

It serves as the unconscious prototype for romantic attraction; unresolved dynamics from the phallic stage (such as the Oedipus or Electra complex) lead individuals to seek partners who mirror parental traits or to reenact early familial conflicts.

What are the 5 stages of psychosexual development?

Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital

When does the Oral stage of psychosexual development occur?

0 months - 18 months

When does the Anal stage of psychosexual development occur?

18 months - 3 years

When does the Phallic stage of Psychosexual development occur?

3 years - 5 years

When does the latency stage of psychosexual development occur?

5 years - puberty

When does the genital stage of psychosexual development occur?

Puberty onwards

What body part is libido focussed on during the oral stage?

Mouth - breast feeding, eating, chewing toys

What body part is libido focussed on during the anal stage?

Anus - expelling and retaining excrement, toilet training

What body part is libido focused on during the phallic stage?

Genitals - exploration of physical differences between two sexes, oedipus and electra complexes, development of superego etc

What body part is libido focused on during the latency stage?

None - libido is dormant, time is spent acquiring knowledge and understanding of the world and building same-sex relationships

What body part is libido focused on during the genital stage?

Genitals - libido is focused on intercourse, gratification is received from the opposite sex

Which aspect of the tripartite personality develops during the oral stage

The id is present at birth. During the oral stage the ego begins to develop.

How will adult behaviour be affected if a child progresses healthily through the oral stage?

They will have the ability to trust others, form healthy relationships and have an enjoyment of food and drink.

What is oral receptive fixation?

Over gratification at the oral stage can lead to oral receptive fixation, if a child is fed too much or whenever they want it can lead to optimistic and gullible adult behaviour.

What is oral aggressive fixation?

Oral aggressive fixation occurs if a child does not receive enough gratification during the oral stage, this can lead to aggressive, pessimistic and envious adult behaviour

What part of the tripartite personality develops during the anal stage?

During this stage the ego continues to develop as the child has to learn to delay their gratification (i.e. going to the toilet) until an appropriate time.

The id has to wait to be satisfied.

What adult behaviour is affected if a child progresses through the anal stage healthily?

They will be a competent, productive and well balanced adult that will be able to maintain order and cleanliness without rigidity.

What is anal retentive fixation?

Anal retentive fixation occurs during the anal stage when too little gratification is given (I.e. overly strict or premature toilet training). This can lead to obsessive orderliness and hoarding in adult life as well as stubbornness, rigidity, perfectionism and anxiety.

What is anal expulsive fixation?

Anal expulsive fixation can occur due to over gratification during the anal stage (I.e. parents are too relaxed about toilet training and the child is allowed to toilet wherever and whenever). This can lead to messy, disorganised and defiant adult behaviour.

What part of the tripartite personality develops during the phallic stage?

The superego is developed during the phallic stage through the resolution of the Oedipus/Electra complex. The child internalises their same sex parent, this becomes the superego.

What’s Freuds view on the importance of the resolution of the Oedipus/Electra complex?

The resolution of these complexes is seen by Freud as vital to personality development and the development of the superego.

What can occur as a result of a lack of resolution of the Oedipus/Electra complex?

If parents do not sensitively help their children through these complexes the child may end up as a sexually over or under confident adult.

Where is gratification received from during the genital stage?

Gratification is revived from the opposite sex during the genital stage.

What is set at the genital stage?

Adult personality

What will an individual be if they have made it through the stages of development without issue?

They will be a well adjusted, mature adult who is capable of love and is able to be loved. They will participate in and contribute to society and will be able to maintain healthy sexual relationships.