Psychodynamic model of abnormality

he Psychodynamic  model is based on the mind and the existance of theunconcious. It wasFreudwho was the first person to talk about the mind and highlight the effect ofchildhood experienceson later life; the model is largely based on childhood experience.

The3 main parts to his theory are: the id, ego and superego, defence mechanisms and the psychosexual stages of development.

The Id, Ego and Superego

These are each thought to be a part of the personality.

• Theidis present frombirthand is thepleasure drive. 
• Theegois present from theage of 2and deals withrealityby balancing out the ego and superego. 
• Finally, thesuperego is present from theage of 5and is morality(knowing the difference between right and wrong).
• If theego is not strong enough to balance out the demands of the id and the superego thenabnormalitywill occur.
• For example, if a person’s id was stronger than their ego then this could lead to them becoming a ****** in  later life due to them having a stronger pleasure drive than morality.

Defence Mechanisms

These are short term methods to protect the ego from harm while it comes to terms with the reality of the situation. Abnormality occurs when these defence mechanisms become long term.

• For example-repression…