Psychodynamic approach (5)

What is the main assumption of the PDA approach?

the unconscious drives have a major influence on our lives/how we behave

what is assumption 1?

The role of the unconscious

what is the main role of the unconscious?

to protect our conscious selves from anxiety/trauma

what is ‘the conscious’?

the small amount of mental activity we know about

examples of ‘conscious mental activities’?

thoughts/perception

what is the preconscious?

Things we could be aware of with effort

examples of mental processes in the preconscious?

memories/stored knowledge

what is the unconscious?

Things we are unaware of and can’t become aware of

examples of mental processes in the unconscious?

fears/ unacceptable sexual desires

how can the unconscious reveal themselves?

Slips of the tongue (Freudian slips), in creativity and neurotic symptoms (mental illnesses)

What is assumption 2?

The psyche (tripartite model of personality)

what is the psyche?

the 3 characteristics in our mind at the same time

what are the 3 characteristics in the psyche?

Id, Ego and Superego

what is the Id and when does it develop?

our instincts/pleasure principle- innate from birth

what is the Ego and when does it develop?

reality principle- develops between 1→3

what is the superego and when does it develop?

Morality conscience- develops between 3-6

what’s the job of the ego?

To manage the conflict between the Id and the superego

How is ego strength developed?

develops naturally with age, but can be damaged/ enhanced by life experiences

What is assumption 3?

Psychosexual stages

what is the assumption of the 5 psychosexual stages?

At each stage, persons libido is attached to a particular organ

what are the 5 psychosexual stages?

• Oral

• Anal

• Phallic

• Latency

• Genital

What is the oral stage and at what age to we go through it?

Libido on mouth

Birth- 1 year

What is the anal stage and at what age to we go through it?

libido focused on anal- ego begins to develop

1-3 years

What is the phallic stage and at what age to we go through it?

Libido on genitals- Id and ego fully formed, Superego develops at end of phallic stage through resolution of oedipus or electra complex

we go through at 3-6 years

What is the latency stage and at what age to we go through it?

nothing much happens in this stage in terms of psychosexual development

6years- puberty

What is the genital stage and at what age to we go through it?

libido focused on genitals and opposite sex

puberty- adulthood

what happens if we overindulge or are frustrated in any of these stages?

Can develop fixations

What is assumption 4?

role of defence mechanisms

what are the 3 defence mechanisms?

Denial, repression and displacement

what is denial?

The refusal to accept reality

what is repression?

unpleasant thoughts pushed automatically into the subconscious

what is displacement?

transfer negative feelings from one thing to another

what is the role of defence mechanisms?

• Helps ego manage conflict between id and superego

• provides compromise solutions to deal with unresolvable conflict

• provides strategies to reduce anxiety

Evaluation- what are the 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of the PDA approach?

• research

• application to therapy

• overlooks other factors (reductionist)

• it’s deterministic

why is there being research a strength for the PDA approach?

Little hans- which through case study, Freud used to support some of his concepts. Little Hans was a 5 year old boy who developed a phobia of horses after seeing one collapse in the street. Freud suggested that Hans phobia was a form of displacement where his repressed fear of his dad was transferred onto horses. Thus, horses were merely a symbolic representation of Hans real unconscious fear of castration during the oedipus complex. However, it isn’t scientific/ empirical and research is limited, especially as it’s mainly case study based.

Why is the application to therapy a strength of the PDA approach?

The assumption that the unconscious mind + childhood experiences are important in determining behaviour, has led to numerous psychotherapies being developed. This includes treatments such as Dream + repression therapy- all aimed at understanding childhood trauma and freeing repressed thoughts.

This matters because psychotherapies are well used treatments for several psychological issues, demonstrating the utility of the PDA approach to help improve the lives of those with mental health issues.

Why is overlooking other factors a limiting factor of psychodynamic approach?

PDA reduces all our behaviour down to the idea that it is our unconscious drive that has a major influence on how we behave. However, behaviour psychologists would argue our behaviour can be learnt through classical/operant conditioning. This matters because it shows the PDA cannot offer a complete explanation of human behaviour, other factors such as behaviourist approach do need to be considered as well.

Why is PDA being deterministic a limiting factor of psychodynamic approach?

Through psychic determination, its argues our behaviour is as a result of childhood experiences and innate drives. (ID, Ego and Superego). This assumes that we don’t make our own choices but it’s our unconscious that makes our decisions, this overlook the idea of free will.