Psychodynamic approach - Freud

what is the basis of the psychodynamic approach?

• most of the mind is unconscious

• store of biological drives and instincts that drive behaviour

• inaccessible to the conscious thought/mind

who thought of the psychodynamic approach?

Freud

what are the 3 parts of the tripartite structure of personality?

• ID

• Ego

• Superego

what are some characteristics of the ID?

• entirely unconscious

• pleasure principle

• demands gratification

• primitive part of personality

what are some characteristics of the ego?

• reality principle

• mediator

• manage/reduce conflict between id and superego

• uses defence mechanism

• keep anxiety inducing thoughts and feelings out of conscious awareness

• defence mechanisms work unconsciously to protect the conscious mind from anxiety (which is created by the conflict between ID and superego)

what are some characteristics of the superego?

• morality principle

• internalised sense of right and wrong

• creates guilt when our moral principles are broken

• act as our conscience

what are 3 defence mechanisms?

• repression

• denial

• displacement

what is repression as a defence mechanism and example?

• forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind

• e.g. an individual forgetting the trauma of their pet dying

what is denial as a defence mechanism? and example?

• refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality

• e.g. continuing to turn up to work even though you’ve been sacked

what is displacement as a defence mechanism? and example?

• transferring feelings from a true source of distressing emotion onto a substitute target

• e.g. slamming the door after a row with your boyfriend