Psychodynamic Theory - Chapter 4

Psychodynamic theory explains personality through the WHAT processes and the lasting influence of WHAT

Psychodynamic theory explains personality through the UNCONSCIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL processes and the lasting influence of CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE

Psychoanalysis

Therapy aimed at exploring unconscious thought and emotion

1900 - Freud claims much of behaviour is shaped by forces we are largely WHAT of - people were displeased

1900 - Freud claims much of behaviour is shaped by forces we are largely UNAWARE of - people were displeased

1905 - Freud claims much children have WHAT, some directed at WHAT - people were outraged

1905 - Freud claims much children have SEXUAL FEELING, some directed at PARENTS - people were outraged

Despite controversy, no competent psychologist can ignore psychodynamic theory - it remains foundational across WHAT, WHAT and WHAT psychology

Despite controversy, no competent psychologist can ignore psychodynamic theory - it remains foundational across DEVELOPMENTAL, SOCIAL and CLINICAL psychology

What are Freud’s three core assumptions:

1. WHAT

2. WHAT

3. WHAT

What are Freud’s three core assumptions:

1. Primacy of the Unconscious

2. Critical importance of early experience

3. Psychic causality

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• Psychodynamic theorists argue most psychological processes happen outside WHAT

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• Psychodynamic theorists argue most psychological processes happen outside CONSCIOUS AWARENESS

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• The WHAT (mind) is presumed to be largely unconscious in its WHAT

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• The PSYCHE (mind) is presumed to be largely unconscious in its OPERATIONS

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• research confirms many mental activities — WHAT, WHAT, WHAT — are largely WHAT to consciousness

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• research confirms many mental activities — MEMORIES, MOTIVE, FEELINGS — are largely INACCESSIBLE to consciousness

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• No other WHAT framework accepts unconscious primacy in its WHAT form

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• No other PERSONALITY framework accepts unconscious primacy in its PUREST form

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• Modern WHAT and WHAT psychology have since absorbed and validated versions of this claim, even while rejecting other Freudian ideas

Core assumption 1: Primacy of the Unconscious

• Modern COGNITIVE and SOCIAL psychology have since absorbed and validated versions of this claim, even while rejecting other Freudian ideas

Core Assumption 2: Critical importance of early experience

• Psychodynamic theory is unique in how much weight it gives WHAT

Core Assumption 2: Critical importance of early experience

• Psychodynamic theory is unique in how much weight it gives EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE

Core Assumption 2: Critical importance of early experience

• Experiences in the first WHAT or WHAT of life are theorized to set WHAT processes in motion that affect us decades later

Core Assumption 2: Critical importance of early experience

• Experiences in the first WEEKS or MONTHS of life are theorized to set PERSONALITY processes in motion that affect us decades later

Core Assumption 2: Critical importance of early experience

• This is especially for WHAT such as losing a parent or sibling very early in life

Core Assumption 2: Critical importance of early experience

• This is especially for EXTREME EVENTS such as losing a parent or sibling very early in life

Core Assumption 2: Critical importance of early experience

• This assumption underlies Freud's WHAT, Horney's view of early WHAT, and Chodorow's account of early WHAT

Core Assumption 2: Critical importance of early experience

• This assumption underlies Freud's PSYCHOSEXUAL STAGES, Horney's view of early SECURITY NEEDS, and Chodorow's account of early MOTHER-CHILD BONDING

Core assumption 3: Psychic causality

• Nothing in mental life happens by WHAT — there is no such thing as a WHAT thought, feeling, motive, or behavior

Core assumption 3: Psychic causality

• Nothing in mental life happens by CHANCE — there is no such thing as a RANDOM thought, feeling, motive, or behavior

Core assumption 3: Psychic causality

• Even something as seemingly trivial as which bus seat you
  choose reflects identifiable WHAT or WHAT influences

Core assumption 3: Psychic causality

• Even something as seemingly trivial as which bus seat you
  choose reflects identifiable PSYCHOLOGICAL or BIOLOGICAL influences

Core assumption 3: Psychic causality

• This assumption is what makes WHAT, WHAT, and WHAT meaningful as clinical tools

Core assumption 3: Psychic causality

• This assumption is what makes FREUDIAN SLIPS, DREAM ANALYSIS, and FREE ASSOCIATION meaningful as clinical tools