5.6 The Psychodynamic approach

Psychodynamic approach

The approach assumes that experiences in early childhood play a key role in determining an individual’s mental/emotional state and outcomes later in life.

Key assumption- there are parts of the mind that are inaccessible to conscious awareness

The role of the unconscious

Freud suggested that there are distinct divisions to the mind which operate at three different levels:

The conscious mind- party of the ins that the individual is aware of, used to form conscious thoughts.

The preconscious mind- part of the mind that sits just below the conscious mind where dreams are. Expresses persons true, repressed feelings.

The unconscious mind- the hidden depths and mass of the iceberg; the part of the mind that holds information and feelings that individual may be unaware of.

The structure of personality

The Id, Ego and Superego all develop at different points in a persons life. They work together with the personality of each individual but not necessarily in harmony.

Id

-The Id is present from birth

-It is the instinctive part of our personality and operates according to the pleasure principle. it consists of pure erotic energy and primal urges.

-Only seeks self indulgent pleasure and instant gratification.

-Important in early life to ensure survival, why an infant will cry until their needs are met.

Ego

-develops around the age of 2

-Operates according to the reality principle, rather like a sensible adult.

-develops in response to control by others.

Superego

-develops around the age of 5

-operates according to the morality principle

-represents an internalised sense of right and wrong

Evaluation of the role of the unconscious & structure of personality: Strengths

-It makes sense to see the link between parental treatment of the child and the conflicted behaviour in the adults parents are at the forefront of of the child’s world. - high external validity.

-Good application to settings beyond merely theoretical

Evaluation of the role of the unconscious & structure of personality: Limitations

-Difficult to operationalise and measure because the concepts are subjective and open to interpretation.

Defence Mechanisms

The Ego uses defence mechanisms to help balance the conflicting demands of the id and the superego.

-They may provide temporary relief or solution from having to confront unsavoury facts of ones existence

Displacement

-A type of defence mechanism

-The focus of a strong emotion is directed towards a neutral/ uninvolved person or object. For example slamming the door after an argument with someone instead of physically hurting them.

Repression

-A type of defence mechanism

-Unpleasant/ distressing memories are pushed down into the unconscious mind and ‘smothered’ so they’re unable to cause anxiety or hurt. For example someone saying ‘I have no memories of being bullied at school’

Denial

-A type of defence mechanism

-A refusal to accept the reality of an unpleasant situation or event. ‘If it didn’t happen then it can’t harm anyone’. For example someone refusing to believe their partner stolen money from them, and instead they must have misplaced it instead.

Psychosexual Stages

According to Freud, children pass through several stages of development

-Each stage is linked to milestones and timelines in the child’s life and

Fixation occurs when a child is stuck at one of the stages. This happens if the Childs upbringing is dysfunctional.- This is like to obstruct their happiness and functioning as an adult.

Oedipus Complex

-During the phallic phase

-The phase in which boys initially feel an unconscious desire for closeness to their mother and fear of the father

Electra Complex

-During the phallic phase

-The phase where girls go experience penis envy and closeness to their father/ hatred to the mother.

Little Hans

Freud conducted an experiment on a 5 year old boy who had a phobia horses. Freuds observations and notes allowed him to conclude that the boy was going through the Oedipus complex- the horse represented his father. Hans’ phobia went as he entered the latency stage- resolved conflict.

Oral Stage

-0-1 years

-mouth is the focus of pleasure and conflict can arise around breastfeeding

-Oral Fixation: Smoking, overeating, biting nails, sarcastic comments, addiction, neediness

Anal Stage

-1-3 years

-The anus is the focus of pleasure and conflict can arise when toilet training

-Anal retentive fixation: neatness, perfectionism, neuroticism

Anal expulsive: Messiness, insensitivity, chaos

Phallic Stage

-3-6 years

-The genital area is the focus of pleasure and conflict can arise and cause the Oedipus or Electra complex

-Phallic fixation: vanity, over- ambition, narcissism, impulsivity

Latency Stage

-6 years to puberty

-Earlier conflicts become repressed

Genital Stage

-Puperty onwards

-The genitals are the focus of pleasure

-Sexual desire becomes conscious as puberty hits

Genital fixation: Difficulty forming heterosexual relationships, particularly difficulties with penetration

Evaluation of defence mechanisms & psychosexual stages: Strengths

-Psychotherapy can enable people to come to terms and recognise the underlying conflicts and trauma that may result in defence mechanisms

-Freuds concept has provided important insights into how early experiences can shape personality and behaviour

-Some research has supported the idea that oral and anal fixations are easily identified and can be traced back to childhood experience

Evaluation of defence mechanisms & psychosexual stage: Limitations

Freuds research is powered in terms of methodology as his work lacked a scientific approach as his claims were based in his own interpretations of their dreams and phobias from his single-subject case studies.

-There are many possible explanations for someones behaviour other than them being fixated at a psychosexual stage, they may have disorders or learned behaviours from role models such as parents.