Psychodynamic theroies of development

Freud: Core Framework

  • Founder of psychoanalytic theory (psychodynamic perspective).

  • Behavior driven by unconscious processes.

  • Emphasis on internal conflict, early childhood, and instinctual drives.

Levels of Consciousness (Iceberg Model)

  1. Conscious

    • Current awareness (thoughts, perceptions, actions).

    • Smallest portion.

  2. Preconscious

    • Stored memories and information easily brought to awareness.

    • Intermediate layer.

  3. Unconscious

    • Largest portion.

    • Contains repressed memories, instincts, desires.

    • Major influence on behavior.

Key Point: Psychological disorders originate from repressed unconscious conflicts.

Structures of Personality

  1. Id

    • Operates on pleasure principle.

    • Immediate gratification.

    • Irrational, impulsive, unconscious.

  2. Ego

    • Operates on reality principle.

    • Mediates between id, superego, and reality.

    • Rational, problem-solving.

    • Mostly conscious.

  3. Superego

    • Moral conscience (internalized values).

    • Strives for perfection.

    • Generates guilt.

    • Largely preconscious.

Interaction

  • Ego balances:

    • Id (desires)

    • Superego (morality)

  • Failure → anxiety.

Anxiety & Defense Mechanisms

  • Anxiety = conflict between id, ego, superego.

  • Ego uses defense mechanisms (distort reality to reduce anxiety).

Key Mechanisms

  1. Repression

    • Unconscious blocking of painful thoughts.

    • Most common.

    • Example: forgetting trauma.

  2. Projection

    • Attributing own unacceptable impulses to others.

    • Example: accusing others of aggression.

Note: Overuse → psychological dysfunction.

Psychosexual Stages of Development

Stage theory: personality develops through fixation of libido (sexual energy).

  1. Oral (0–18 months)

    • Focus: mouth (sucking, chewing).

    • Fixation → dependency, oral habits.

  2. Anal (18–36 months)

    • Focus: toilet training.

    • Fixation:

      • Anal-retentive (rigid, controlling)

      • Anal-expulsive (messy, careless)

  3. Phallic (3–6 years)

    • Focus: genitals.

    • Oedipus/Electra complex.

    • Identification with same-sex parent.

  4. Latency (6–12 years)

    • Sexual impulses dormant.

    • Social, intellectual development.

  5. Genital (12+ years)

    • Mature sexual interests.

    • Healthy relationships.

Key Concepts to Memorize

  • Unconscious drives behavior

  • Personality = id + ego + superego

  • Conflict → anxiety → defense mechanisms

  • Childhood stages shape adult personality

Criticism

  • Overemphasis on sexuality.

  • Difficult to test scientifically.

  • Other theorists (e.g., Jung) disagreed with Freud’s focus.