humanistic/psychodynamic

Psychodynamic approach

A perspective that describes the different forces, most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience.

The unconscious

The part of the mind that we are unaware of but which continues to direct much of our behaviour.

Slip of the tounge

Is motivated by and reveals some unconscious part of the mind. Strange unacceptable and threatening thoughts are expressed.

Id

Entirely unconscious, the id is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification. It consists of the pleasure principle

Pleasure province

Consists of primal urges which is called and drives and seeks nothing but pleasure and instant gratification

Ego

The 'reality check' that balances the conflicting demands of the id and super ego. It is governed by the reality principle

Reality principle

Tasked with taming the id and balancing the demands of the superego

Superego

The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self: how we ought to be. It's governed by the morality principle

Morality principle

Our sense of right and wrong - it is characterised by the 'inner voice' that tells us when we have crossed the boundaries of unacceptable behaviour

Psychosexual stages

Five developmental stages that all children pass through. At each stage there is a different conflict, the outcome of which determines future development.

Oedipus complex

According to Freud, a boy in his phallic stage:

• lusts over his mother

• feels a sense of rivalry towards his father

• castration (neutering) anxiety

Electra complex

According to Freud, a boy in the phallic stage:

• lust after their fathers

• feel rivalry towards their mother

• penis envy

Oral stage

1st stage (0-2 years)- mouth is predominant focus of pleasure

Successful progression - weaning

Unsuccessful progression - oral fixation, such as smoking, nail biting…

Anal stage

2nd stage (2-3 years) - anus us focus of pleasure

Successful progression - potty training

Unsuccessful progression - anal retentive (obsessive perfectionist) and anal expulsive (messy and thoughtless)

Phallic stage

3rd stage (3-6 years) - genitals are main focus of pleasure

• Oedipus and electro complex

Unsuccessful progression - manifest in narcissistic behaviours - self centred, believe you are without fault

Latency stage

4th stage (6 - puberty) - earlier conflicts are repressed

• the sexual energy which has driven the previous stages have been transferred to sports, hobbies …. (Latent)

Genital stage

5th stage (puberty - adulthood) - sexual desires become conscious

• psychosexual energy takes residence in the genitals, to be directed towards forming adult heterosexual relationships

Unsuccessfully progressed - struggle to form heterosexual relationships

Defence mechanisms

Unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego, in order to prevent us from being overwhelmed by temporary threats ie traumas.

Repression

When a traumatic or distressing memory is forced out of conscious awareness and into the unconscious mind

Denial

A refusal to accept the truth or reality of a situation, acting as through nothing distressing has happened

Displacement

When the feelings towards a target individual cannot be expressed directly and are therefore transferred onto someone/ something else.

Little Hans - Freud

A case study used to support the psychosexual stages of development, where he is in the phallic stage and is experiencing the Oedipus complex. He has a phobia of horses and he fears his dad through dreams.

Humanistic psychology

An approach to understanding behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experiences and each persons capacity for self-determination

Free will

The notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by internal biological or external forces.

Self actualisation

The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one's full potential - becoming what you are capable of

Maslow hierarchy of needs

A five levelled hierarchy sequence which basic physiological needs must be satisfied before any other stages can be achieved (self actualisation).

Congruence

The aim of Rogerian therapy; when the self-concept and ideal self are seen to broadly accord or match

Incongruence

When a person's perception of self and ideal self do not match.

Conditions of worth

When a parent places limits or boundaries on their love of their children

Rogerian therapy

A client centred therapy which helps with people to cope with problems of everyday living, and bridge the gap between the perception and ideal self.