Psychology - Approaches - Psychodynamic Approach

What does the psycho-dynamic approach compare the mind to?

An iceberg

the conscious mind - tip

unconscious mind - larger submerged portion.

what is the conscious mind?

what we are aware of at any one time

what is the pre-conscious mind?

thoughts that may become conscious at some point

eg through dreams and slips of the tongue.

what is the unconscious mind?

the part of the mind that contains thoughts, memories

not accessible to awareness

influencing behavior and feelings.

what is a Freudian slips?

unintentional errors in speech that reveal subconscious thoughts.

eg when Ross says Rachel name in his vows to Emily

what are the key roles of the unconscious mind?

• driving force behind our behaviour and personality

• protects the conscious mind from trauma

what did freud believe was the 3 part stucture of personality?

The id, ego, and superego.

what is the id?

• pleasure principle

• present at birth

• demands instant gratification

what is the superego?

• morality principle

• develops at 4/5 yrs old (phallic stage)

• morals, ideals & standards

• conscience / guilt & shame

• represses the unacceptable demands of the id

what is the ego?

• reality principle

• reduces conflict

• acts as a mediator between the id and superego

• It develops as a child interacts with the world, balancing desires and reality.

what are characteristics for someone who is id dominant?

• highly implusive

• lacks self control

• may take part in criminal behaviour

what are characteristics for someone who is superego dominant?

• judgemental & critical

• highly anxious

• often feels guilt and shame

what are characteristics for someone who is ego dominant?

• moderating

• healthly balance between the id and superego

what are the 5 psychosexual approaches?

• oral

• anal

• phallic

• latency

• genital

mnemonic - Old Aged People Love Grapes

what would normal development be?

to pass through the stages successfully and on to the next one

what is libido?

moves around and focuses on different parts of the body

‘erogenous zones’

stage 1 - oral

Age - 0-1yrs old

Libido - Mouth

Conflict - weaning

Fixation - sucking thumb, smoking, drinking and overeating

stage 2 - anal

Age - 2-3 yrs old

Libido - Bladder&Bowels

Conflict - Toilet training

Fixation - anal-expulsive : messy anal-retentive : organised, obsessive

stage 3 - phallic

Age - 3-5 yrs old

Libido - Genitals

Conflict - Oedipus complex, electra complex

Fixation - overly dependent on mother/father

Gender identity confusion

what is the Oedipus complex (BOYS) / Electra complex (GIRLS)

a child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and jealousy toward the same-sex parent, leading to conflict.

Boys:

• Father is a treat and rival

• Castration anxiety

• indentifies with father

• adopts male indentity and characteristics

Girls:

• Mother is a threat and rival

• Penis envy

• Identifies with mother

• Adopts female identity and characteristics

stage 4 - latency

Age - 6-12 years

Libido - Dormant, not active

Conflict - generally calm, defence mechanisms develop

Fixation - immaturity and difficulties in relationships.

stage 5 - genital

Age - 13yrs +

Libido - sexual desires

Conflict - ——-

Fixation - ——