Outline the Influences of Childhood Experiences assumption [4]
Freud believed that our adult personalities are determined by early childhood experiences, and that these
experiences are dictated by the libido- which is psychosexual energy. The libido is focused on different
parts of the body from birth to late puberty through 5 stages of psychosexual development: Oral, Anal,
Phallic, Latent, Genital. Passing through each stage smoothly leads to a well-adjusted, well rounded adult,
whereas fixation can lead to future issues. For example, the anal stage is the stage from 18months- 2
years, when a child is being potty trained, giving them control for the first time. A ‘good’ anal stage means
the adult will be able to deal with authority, and live in a balance of spontaneity and order. Fixation in the
anal stage on the other hand is the explanation for an anally retentive adult, who may develop and OCD or
other anxiety disorder. Freud believed the stages explained sexuality, and that mental illness is a result of
repressed negative experiences.
Outline the Unconscious Mind assumption [4]
There are three layers to our mind, the conscious the preconscious and the unconscious. The conscious
mind contains our active thoughts and emotions, what we are doing or saying. In the preconscious mind lie
the long and short term memories which we are not actively thinking about but which could be easily
accessed, such as what we had for breakfast or a holiday. The unconscious mind is most relevant to the
psychodynamic approach as, according to Freud it contains our deepest fears and traumas, which we have
pushed back, or repressed, so that they are difficult to access. These repressions still influence our
behaviour and mental health. The unconscious mind is related ego defense mechanisms- dealing with
anxiety in an unhealthy way without actually tackling the problem. These include projection, which is
attributing feelings to someone else, and displacement which is taking these feelings out on another object
or person.
Outline the Tripartite Personality assumption [4]
Our personalities are comprised of 3 parts, the Id, Ego and Superego, each playing different roles in
influencing our behaviour. We are born with the Id, the innate drive for pleasure and satisfaction, working
on the pleasure principle. The Id is irrational and purely aimed towards gratification. The ego develops at
around 2 /3 years old and is the balance within our minds, it works on the reality principle, combining
selfish and unselfish drives to create a sensical behaviour. These unselfish drives come from the superego,
which is the internalised version of the same sex parent, working on the morality complex as the harsh
judge of right and wrong- also known as the conscience. The Id and Supergo are in constant conflict, which
can cause anxiety and mental illness if not dealt with by the ego. A person who can manage the demands
of the Id and Superego is said to be of strong ego, whereas someone who acquiesces to either may
become selfish or a pushover.
Explain how the psychodynamic approach might explain relationship formation [6]
Childhood experiences form our personalities, and thus the way we interact and form relationships with
others. Fixation in stages of psychosexual development can cause difficulties in romantic relationships. For
example, overindulgence in the Oral stage can lead a person to become unhealthily dependent on others
in the future, and only seek relationships with those they feel can provide for them. Freud argued that
homosexuality in males is a result of failing to resolve the Oedipus Complex in the Phallic stage. Children
who experienced maternal deprivation may grow to be affectionless (Bowlby), making it difficult for them
to empathise with others, perhaps as a result of lacking a figure to look up to and learn how to treat
others. When a romantic relationship is formed, unpleasant repressed emotions may arise, and ego
defense mechanisms may be used to blame one’s significant other for undesirable behaviours. For
example, somebody who cheats may project this onto their partner through rationalising and saying ‘it’s
because they didn’t pay me any attention’. An individual in denial about their sexuality may pursue a
relationship they feel is more acceptable, which only becomes dysfunctional and eventually breaks down.
