Class 6- Psychological theories

Psychodynamic Theory

1. Foundations

• Developed by Freud, focuses on unconscious mental processes formed in early childhood.

• Childhood experiences shape future relationships.

2. Structure of Personality

• Composed of three parts:

  • Id: Primitive, biological drives present at birth; follows the pleasure principle and seeks instant gratification.

  • Ego: Developed early in life; compensates for id's demands; follows the reality principle considering societal standards.

  • Superego: Moral aspect, formed by incorporating parental values; judges behavior; includes conscience (controls id) and ego ideal (aspirational self-image).

3. Developmental Stages

• Freud's Stages of Development:

  • Eros: Instinct for life, pleasure (sexual expression).

  • Thanatos: Death instinct expressed as aggression.

  • Stages include: Oral (birth-1 yr), Anal (2-3 yrs), Phallic (3-6 yrs), Latent (6-puberty), Genital (puberty+).

  • Fixation can result from unresolved conflicts during stages leading to adult behavior traits.