PY1 psychology psychodynamic approach

What are 2 assumptions of the psychodynamic approach

We can easily access the unconscious part of our mind whenever we want to

The ID is the [blank_start]impulsive[blank_end] and [blank_start]unconscious[blank_end] part of the personality and is present from [blank_start]birth[blank_end]. It demands [blank_start]immediate satisfaction[blank_end] and is referred to as the [blank_start]pleasure principle[blank_end]. The EGO is the [blank_start]conscious[blank_end] and rational part of the mind which develops at the age of [blank_start]2[blank_end]., It tries to [blank_start]balance the demands of the ID[blank_end] in a socially acceptable way. It is referred to as the [blank_start]reality principle[blank_end]. The SUPEREGO develops around the age of [blank_start]6[blank_end]. It aims to [blank_start]civilise behaviour[blank_end] and make us [blank_start]feel guilty about bad behaviour[blank_end]. It is referred to as the [blank_start]morality principle[blank_end].

What are 2 examples of defence mechanisms

ADULT PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT: develops from an interaction between [blank_start]innate drives and early life experiences[blank_end]. Normal experiences result in psychologically [blank_start]healthy[blank_end] individuals but harsh treatment or overindulgence can lead to [blank_start]fixation[blank_end] at one of the five psychosexual stages. According to Freud the personality consists of [blank_start]3 parts[blank_end] which are often in [blank_start]conflict[blank_end]. The egos ability to function appropriately during conflict is known as [blank_start]ego strength[blank_end], which develops naturally with age but can be [blank_start]enhanced[blank_end] or [blank_start]damaged[blank_end] by life experiences during the first three psychosexual stage

ADULT PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT: Consists of 5 psychosexual stages, what are these stages?

During the oral stage of adult personality development fixation due to harsh treatment can leave to oral agressive behaviour and fixation due to overindulgence can lead to oral passive behaviour.

During the [blank_start]oral[blank_end] stage (ages 0-1) children gain pleasure from their [blank_start]mouth[blank_end]. A healthy personality; enjoys [blank_start]food and drink[blank_end] and is able to form relationships with others. Fixation due to harsh treatment leads to [blank_start]oral aggressive behaviour[blank_end] and fixation due to overindulgence leads to [blank_start]oral passive behaviour[blank_end]. During the [blank_start]Anal[blank_end] stage (ages 1-3) children are [blank_start]potty training[blank_end]. A healthy personality; is able to [blank_start]deal with authority[blank_end] and can balance between [blank_start]orderly[blank_end] and [blank_start]disorganised[blank_end]. Fixation due to harsh treatment leads to [blank_start]anal retentive behaviour[blank_end] and fixation due to overindulgence leads to [blank_start]anal expulsive behaviour[blank_end]. During the [blank_start]phallic[blank_end] stage (ages 3-6) childrens gender identity develops. A healthy personality; consists of [blank_start]good clear morals[blank_end] which develop through identification with [blank_start]same sex parent[blank_end]. Fixation due to lack of interaction with same sex parent leads to a [blank_start]recklace[blank_end] and [blank_start]confident[blank_end] personality. The [blank_start]latent[blank_end] stage (ages 6- puberty) has no fixations. The [blank_start]genital[blank_end] stage (puberty to adults) are when genitals provide pleasure through heterosexual relationships. A healthy adult personality should; be [blank_start]well adjusted[blank_end], contribute to society, be mature and [blank_start]able to love and accept love[blank_end].

DREAM ANALYSIS: One assumption is that behaviour is [blank_start]influenced by levels of consciousness[blank_end]. Behaviour can be influenced by hidden thoughts and feelings in our [blank_start]unconsciousness[blank_end]. People often repress painful memories into their [blank_start]unconscious[blank_end] but this can lead to [blank_start]psychological distress[blank_end]. Dream analysis aims to [blank_start]access the unconscious[blank_end] and bring these thoughts/feelings to a [blank_start]conscious level to be delt with[blank_end]. When we dream our unconscious mind protects us by turning our [blank_start]wishes and desire[blank_end]s into dream. Freud suggested that behind the story/scene of a dream, known as [blank_start]manifest content[blank_end], is a hidden wish or desire, [blank_start]latent content[blank_end]. Latent content is turned into manifest content when we dream called [blank_start]dreamwork[blank_end]. Dream analysis aims to [blank_start]reverse dreamwork processes[blank_end] so that we can interpret and understand the dreams which can [blank_start]reduce anxiety[blank_end]. During dream analysis the therapist will offer many [blank_start]interpretations[blank_end] of the dreams so the patient can choose the ones that make the most sense to them.

What are the 4 processes of dreamwork?

DREAM ANALYSIS EVIDENCE: Solms (2000) studied participants using ECT. He noticed that all areas of the brain were active during sleep and some weren't active during consciousness (id).

One strength of the psychodynamic approach is that is it [blank_start]interactionist[blank_end]. This means that it considers both [blank_start]nature and nurture[blank_end] as important in influencing behaviour. It believes that unconscious [blank_start]wishes and desires[blank_end] of the id (nature) and [blank_start]early childhood experiences[blank_end] (nurture) influence adult behaviour and personality. This is a strength because by considering both nature and nurture the approach gives a more complete and [blank_start]less reductionist[blank_end] view of human behaviour. Another strength of the PA is that is has provided a [blank_start]useful therapy called dream analysis[blank_end] which helps to reduce anxiety and depression. [blank_start]Dream analysis[blank_end] attempts to bring [blank_start]unconscious[blank_end] thoughts, fear, wishes and desires to a [blank_start]conscious[blank_end] level so that these issues can be delt with. This is a strength because it [blank_start]reduces anxiety and depression[blank_end] and allows the patient to live a more [blank_start]normal, healthy life.[blank_end]

One weakness of the psychodynamic approach is that there is [blank_start]very little scientific evidence[blank_end] to support its concepts and theories. This is because many of its concept (such as; the id and unconscious) are impossible to [blank_start]observe and measure[blank_end] in an [blank_start]objective, scientific way[blank_end]. This is a weakness because it reduces psychology's [blank_start]credibility as a science[blank_end]. Another weakness of the PA is that it is [blank_start]deterministic[blank_end]. It suggests that all human behaviour can be explained in terms of e[blank_start]arly childhood experiences[blank_end], [blank_start]levels of consciousness[blank_end] and the [blank_start]tripartite division of the psyche[blank_end]. This is a weakness because it suggests that [blank_start]humans have no free will[blank_end] and that all behaviour is determined by something [blank_start]beyond our control,[blank_end] this therefore [blank_start]denies individual responsibility[blank_end] for negative behaviours.

EVALUATE METHODOLOGY: METHOD 1: one method used is [blank_start]case studies[blank_end]. These are [blank_start]indepth studies[blank_end] of [blank_start]individuals[blank_end] or [blank_start]small groups[blank_end] who have [blank_start]unique behaviours[blank_end]. These tend to gather lots of rick, detailed, [blank_start]qualitative[blank_end] data. The individual is asked about [blank_start]childhood experiences[blank_end] and [blank_start]relationships with parents[blank_end]. Psychodynamic [blank_start]case studies take an idiographic[blank_end] approach. An example: is [blank_start]Little Hans[blank_end], a 5 year old boy who had a severe phobia of [blank_start]white horses[blank_end]. He was afraid that [blank_start]one would bite him[blank_end]. Freuds interpretation od this fear was that he was unconsciously going through the [blank_start]oedipus complex[blank_end] and [blank_start]his fear represented castration anxiety,[blank_end] One strength= q[blank_start]ualitative information is gathered[blank_end]. This is an advantage because it can provide [blank_start]meaningful information[blank_end] about [blank_start]subjective beliefs and experiences[blank_end] of the participant, this can [blank_start]enable interpretations[blank_end] to be made about the individuals behaviour. For example; Freud used details gathered from [blank_start]Hans' father[blank_end] to suggest that Hans' phobia was [blank_start]a result of the oedipus complex[blank_end]. Another strength= individuals are usually [blank_start]studied over a long period of time[blank_end]. This is an advantage because it gives a [blank_start]more detailed, valid[blank_end] view of behaviour. One weakness= [blank_start]qualitative data is subjective[blank_end]. This is a disadvantage because the researcher may [blank_start]wrongly interpret the behaviour[blank_end]. For example: Freud may have [blank_start]misinterpreted Hans' behaviours[blank_end] in order to provide [blank_start]evidence for his own theories[blank_end]. Another weakness= [blank_start]case studies are idiographic[blank_end]. This is a weakness because it means that findings cannot be [blank_start]generalised beyond the individual[blank_end] being studied. For example: Freud cannot suggest that [blank_start]all individuals with fears of horses[blank_end] are suffering from c[blank_start]astration anxiety[blank_end].

EVALUATE THE METHODOLOGY: METHOD 2: Another method is [blank_start]clinical interviews[blank_end]. These are when [blank_start]patients are interviewed[blank_end] in a [blank_start]clinical setting[blank_end] about their [blank_start]behaviour[blank_end], [blank_start]experiences[blank_end], [blank_start]childhood[blank_end] etc... For example: [blank_start]Anna O[blank_end] was a patient of Josef Breur for [blank_start]treatment of her hysteria[blank_end]. She went to see Freud with her [blank_start]paralysis[blank_end] and he [blank_start]hypnotised her[blank_end]. He found out that the treatment she needed was a [blank_start]talking cure[blank_end]. One strength= this method allows [blank_start]good relationships[blank_end] between [blank_start]patient and interview[blank_end], which leads to detailed, [blank_start]qualitative data[blank_end] being gathered. One weakness= this method is often [blank_start]open to interviewer bias[blank_end], where the interviewer may [blank_start]misinterpret[blank_end] the patients responses due to [blank_start]subjectivity[blank_end].