Psychodynamic approach

Role of the unconscious 

Sigmund Freud suggested that the mind we know and are aware of is just the tip of the iceberg 

Most of our mind is made up of the unconscious- a store house of biological drives and instincts that has a significant influence on our behaviour and personality 

Unconscious also contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed 

Such memories can be accessed during dreams or through slips of the tongue (Freud referred to as parapraxes) 

An example of a slip is calling a female teacher mum instead of miss 

Under the surface of our conscious mind is the preconscious 

This contains thoughts and memories not currently in conscious awareness but we can access if desired 

Personality is composed of three parts - Id

Selfish beast part of the personality

It is contained in the unconscious part of the mind

Id uses the primary processes to satisfy its needs

The id operates according to the pleasure principle

Personality is composed of three parts- Superego

Conscious and ego ideal

Superego is a relentless policeman and continues to insist that we do the right thing 

Superego opposes the desires of the id 

Superego enforces moral restrictions and battles against the id impulses 

It develops later in childhood through identification with one or other parent, at which point the child internalises the moral rules and social norms of society 

Personality is composed of three parts- The ego 

Ego is the executive of the personality 

The ego uses its cognitive abilities to manage and control the id and balance its desires against the restrictions of reality and the superego 

Ego operates according to the reality principle 

Ego defends itself from id and superego 

Defence mechanisms- Repression

Forcing a distressing or threatning memory out of your conscious mind

An individual forgetting the trauma of their favourite pet dying 

Defence mechanisms- Denial

Failing or refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality

Continuing to turn up for work even though youve been sacked

Defence mechanisms- Displacement

Transferring feelings from the true object of anxiety onto a substitute target or object

Slamming the door after an argument with your girlfriend