4.6 psychodynamic approach

What does the psychodynamic approach focus on?

Unconscious forces that shape human behavior.

What is the unconscious?

Part of the mind outside awareness that influences thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

What does the Id seek?

Immediate gratification according to the pleasure principle.

What role does the Ego play in personality?

Mediates between the Id and Superego using the reality principle and defense mechanisms.

What is the function of the Superego?

Acts as the moral conscience and internalizes societal standards.

What are defense mechanisms?

Strategies used by the Ego to manage conflict between Id and Superego.

What are psychosexual stages?

Five developmental stages where unresolved conflicts can affect adult behavior.

How does the conscious mind compare to the unconscious mind in the iceberg analogy?

The conscious mind is the tip of the iceberg, while the majority of mental processes are unconscious.

What is a preconscious state?

Thoughts and memories that are not currently conscious but can be accessed.

What is repression in terms of defense mechanisms?

Forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind.

What is denial as a defense mechanism?

Refusing to acknowledge reality.

What does displacement involve?

Redirecting emotions to a safer target.

What is the Oedipus complex?

A boy's desire for his mother and fear of his father during the phallic stage.

What is an example of displacement in the case study of Little Hans?

Hans’ fear of his father was redirected to a fear of horses.

What is penis envy according to Freudian theory?

A girl's desire for a penis, leading to desire for her father and identification with her mother.

What is one strength of the psychodynamic approach?

It introduced psychotherapy, which is influential in psychology and literature.

What is a significant weakness of the psychodynamic approach?

It is not scientific and involves difficult-to-test concepts.

What does psychic determinism suggest?

Behavior is determined by unconscious conflicts.

What criticism is associated with psychic determinism?

It discounts free will and may be considered too extreme.