This document covers all elements of the Psychodynamic Approach in psychology including assumptions, studies, strengths and weaknesses. It provides both information and inspiration to those who struggle with writing and organising notes.
Assumptions:
Our behaviour and feelings as adults (including psychological problems) are rooted in
our childhood experiences
Our behaviour and feelings are powerfully affected by unconscious motives
Personality is made up of three parts: the id, ego, and superego
All behaviour has a cause (usually unconscious), even slips of the tongue. Therefore
all behaviour is determined
Defence mechanisms are unconscious methods used by the ego to prevent being
overwhelmed.
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud devoted his career to study of the human mind & development, especially
the interaction between conscious & unconscious processes. Freud suggested that the part
of our mind that we know about and are aware of is the conscious mind. However this is
simply the tip of the iceberg and most of our mind is made up of the unconscious. This is
made up of biological drives, instincts that influence our behaviour and personality but also
threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed. Just under the surface of
our conscious mind is the preconscious which includes thoughts and ideas which we may
become aware of during dreams or ‘slips of the tongue’.
Freud’s ‘Iceberg Model of Personality Structure
Above the water:
o Conscious: Contact with the outside world
Below the surface:
o Preconscious: Material just beneath the surface of awareness
Deep Water:
o Unconscious: Difficult to retrieve material; well below the surface of
awareness (all psychic energy originates in the unconscious)
Structure of Personality
Freud proposed that the personality is made up of three interacting elements:
1. The id
2. The ego
3. The super-ego
The id (birth):
The primitive part of our personality
A pool of unconscious/instinctual psychic energy we are born with
The most important aspect is the libido
The id operates on the pleasure principle - constantly trying to gratify these instincts
through sex & other forms of pleasurable behaviour
This can lead to aggression and violence
The ego (2 years old):
Represents our conscious self
Develops during early childhood
Regulates interaction with our immediate environment
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