Evaluation of the psychodynamic approach

What are the two strengths of the psychodynamic approach?

Two strengths of the psychodynamic approach=

• introduced the idea of psychotherapy

• its ability to explain human behaviour

Why is introducing the idea of psychotherapy a strength of the psychodynamic approach?

Introducing the idea of psychotherapy a strength of the psychodynamic approach=

Freud brought a new form of therapy – psychoanalysis. This was the first attempt to treat mental disorders psychologically. The new therapy employed a range of techniques designed to access the unconscious, such as dream analysis.

Psychoanalysis claims to help clients by bringing their repressed emotions into their conscious mind so they can be dealt with. Many "talking therapies" that are used today, like counselling, have their origins in psychoanalysis.

This shows the value of the psychodynamic approach in creating a new approach to treatment.

Why is its ability to explain human behaviour a strength of the psychodynamic approach?

Its ability to explain human behaviour is a strength of the psychodynamic approach= 

Freud’s theory is controversial in many ways, and sometimes bizarre, but it has nevertheless had a huge influence on psychology. Alongside behaviourism, the psychodynamic approach remained a key force in psychology for the first half of the 20th century and has been used to explain a wide range of phenomena including personality development, the origins of psychological disorders, moral development and gender identity.

The approach is also significant in drawing attention to the connection between experiences in childhood, such as our relationship with our parents, and our later development.

This suggests that, overall, the psychodynamic approach has had a positive impact on psychology

What are the two limitations of the psychodynamic approach?

Two limitations of the psychodynamic approach=

• Although Freudian therapists have claimed success for many clients with mild neuroses, psychoanalysis is regarded as inappropriate, even harmful, for people experiencing more serious mental disorders (such as schizophrenia)

• much of it is untestable

Why is psychoanalysis being regarded as inappropiate, even harmful.. a limitation of the psychodynamic approach?

Although Freudian therapists have claimed success for many clients with mild neuroses, psychoanalysis is regarded as inappropriate, even harmful, for people experiencing more serious mental disorders (such as schizophrenia) is a limitation of the psychodynamic approach=

• Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as paranoia and delusional thinking, mean that those with the disorder have lost their grip on reality and cannot articulate their thoughts in the way required by psychoanalysis.

• This suggests that Freudian therapy (and theory) may not apply to all mental disorders.

Why is that much of it is untestable a limitation of the psychodynamic approach?

The psychodynamic approach being untestable mostly is a limitation=

• The philosopher of science Karl Popper argued that the psychodynamic approach does not meet the scientific criterion of falsification. It is not open to empirical testing (and the possibility of being disproved). Many of Freud’s concepts (such as the Id and the Oedipus complex) are said to occur at an unconscious level, making them difficult/ impossible, to test.

• Furthermore, his ideas were based on the subjective study of single individuals, such as Little Hans, which makes it difficult to make universal claims about human behaviour.

• This suggests that Freud’s theory was pseudoscientific (not a real science) rather than established fact.