Approaches - psychodynamic approach

Unconscious mind

Part of the mind we are unaware of but directs much of our behaviour

Preconscious mind

Contains thought and memories which are not currently in the conscious awareness but we can access if desired

Id

Entirely unconscious

Made up of the selfish aggressive instincts thy demand immediate gratification

Operates on the pleasure principle

Ego

The reality check that balances the conflicting demands of the aid and the Superego

Operates on the reality principle

Superego

The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self

How we ought to be

Operates on the morality principle

Tripartite

Consists of the id, ego and superego

Defence mechanisms

Unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between id and superego

Parapraxes

Slip of the tongue

Calling female teacher mum

Repression

Memories that have been locked away/forgotten

Often threatening and disturbing

Displacement

Defence mechanism that involves redirecting strong emotions from their true source to a weaker target

Allowing individual to express their feeling in a less threatening way

Denial

Unconscious defence mechanism where an individual refuses to accept the reality of a distressing situation

Psychosexual stages

Five developmental stages that all children pass through

At each stage there is a different conflict and the outcome of which determines future development