Psychodynamic approach AO1

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Role of unconscious mind

Freud used the metaphor of a mental iceberg.

- Conscious: Consists of what we are aware of. The tip of the iceberg.

- Preconscious: Just beneath the surface. Recent memories we can access if needed.

- Unconscious: Infomation which is very hard or even impossible to retrieve, is the biggest part of the mind.

The role of the unconscious mind is to direct and motivate behavior without conscious awareness. It protects us from distressing and painful material that could damage the psyche if recalled into conscious awareness. 

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Structure of personality

  • ID:

           - Operates on the pleasure principle
           - Seeks immediate gratification 
           - Present from birth
           - Resides in the unconscious   

  • Ego:

           - Operates on the reality principle
           - Balances the demand of the ID and superego
           - Develops between 1-3 years 
           - Resides in the conscious 

  • Superego:

           - Operates the morality principle
           - Sense of right and wrong instilled from childhood
           - Develops between 3-5 years
           - Resides in the unconscious 

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Defence mechanisms

Their dual role is to protect the ego by distorting reality and are all motivated unconsciously.

1. Displacement - unconscious redirection of an impulse onto a powerless substitute target. This target could either be a person or object that can serve as a symbolic substitute. [include example]

2. Repression - (2 parts) The ID has impulses that the ego does not want to allow into the conscious mind so keeps them out using repression. The ego also uses it to protect itself from threatening or traumatic experiences. It pushes the memories deep down into the unconscious mind so the person doesn't remember. It all happens unconsciously. [include example]

3. Denial - Involves unconsciously blocking external events from conscious awareness. If a situation is just too much to handle, the person unconsciously cannot accept it, so they are refusing to accept reality. [include example]

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Psychosexual stages

(There are 5 stages but for the exam focus on 2)

  • Anal stage 1-3 (ego) - Key events are toilet training and learning you can't always get what you want when you want it. Fixation at this stage could be caused by overly harsh toilet training (anal-retentive personality), this can lead you to be mean, stubborn, and obsessively tidy in adulthood. Or overly lax toilet training (anal expulsive personality), can lead you to be over-generous, untidy, and unconventional in adulthood. 
  • Phallic stage 3-6 (superego) - Key events are; the Oedipus complex in boys and the Electra complex in girls, identification with the same-sex parent, development of gender identity, development of empathy and consciousness. Fixation at his stage can be caused by unresolved Oedipus and Electra complexes. This can cause a phallic personality type which is someone who is self-assured, self-obsessive, vain, and impulsive. It can lead to sexual deviancy and unusual ways of gaining sexual gratification (fetishes).
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