Psychodynamic Approach

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Who is the key psychologist in the Psychodynamic Approach?
Sigmund Freud
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In the Psychodynamic Approach determined by...(3 key assumptions)
The unconscious mind; early childhood experiences and instinctive desires
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What are the 3 levels of the mind according to the Psychodynamic Approach?
Conscious level, Preconscious level and Unconscious level
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What is the role of the unconscious?
To store biological drives that are repressed due to being unacceptable. These drives include Eros (libido) and Thanatos (death) which we're unconsciously motivated to satisfy. This need influences our behaviour & personality.
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Outline Harris and Campbell's research.
Studied 3 groups of preganant women: planned, unplanned & not. Assessed on relationship, life events and self-esteem. Found unplanned had more potential for secondary gains E.G. housing, marriage. Motivational factors for pregancy in unconscious
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What are the 3 components of everyone's personality?
Id, Ego & Superego
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At what ages do the Id, Ego & Superego develop?
Birth, 2yrs & 5yrs respectively
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What are the operating prinicples of the Id, Ego & Superego?
Pleasure principle, Reality principle and Morality principle respectively
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What are the motivations/main functions of the Id, Ego & Superego?
Satisfy urges immediately; Satisfy Id & Superego in an acceptable way & Uphold moral standards
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What happens if Id overpowers Ego?
Psychotic disorders characterised by loss of grip on reality E.G. Schizophrenia
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What happens if Superego becomes dominant?
Neurotic disorders characterised by guilt & anxiety E.G. OCD
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What are Defence Mechanisms?
An unconcsious strategy used by the Ego to balance the Id vs Superego conflict and prevent anxiety in unpleasant situations. They can distort reality to protect us from unpleasant feelings.
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What is Repression?
Forcing a distressing memory into the unconscious mind, where we are no longer consciously aware of it. E.G. Being unable to recall events of an accident
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What is Denial?
Refusing to acknowledge or admit to some aspect of reality. E.G. Continuing to go to work after being fired
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What is Displacement?
Transferring an unacceptable emotion from its true source onto a substitue target that is considered more acceptable. E.G. Slamming the door after rowing with your partner
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How many Psychosexual Stages are there?
5
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What occurs in the psychosexual stages?
The libido focuses on one erotogenic zone & child gains pleasure from stimulating it. There's a confict that must be resolved to prevent fixation resulting in certain personality traits in adulthood
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Describe the oral stage.
Occurs at 0-1yr. Focuses on the mouth. Conflict is weaning (breastfeeding issues). Consequences of fixation are nail biting, smoking & thumb sucking
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Describe the anal stage.
Occurs 1-3yrs. Concerns the anus. Conflict is potty training & restrictions on where and where not to defecate. Cosequences of fixation include anal retentive personality (Hates mess, stubborn, respects authority) or anal expulsive (rebel, messy)
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Describe phalllic Stage.
Occurs at 3-5yrs. Concerns genitals. Conflict is identification & oedipus conflict. Consequences of fixation are inability to identify with same sex leading to impulsiveness
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Describe latency stage.
Occurs 5/6yrs up to puberty. Conflicts develop but sexual urges are relatively quiet & energy directed to other activities E.G. school/sports
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Describe genital stage.
Occurs puberty-adult. Conflicts resolved in all other stages. Pleasure comes from kissing/oral other than intercourse at this stage if fixation occured at oral stage.
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In which psychosexual stage does the Oedipus Conmplex occur?
Phallic
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Where is the libido directed in the Oedipus Complex?
Towards the mother.
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Wat is the conflict in the Oedipus Complex?
That mother can't satisfy sexual pleasure and that the father is a rival for mother's attention.
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What is Castration Anxiety?
The unconscious fear that the father will remove the boy's penis to get rid of competition.
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How is the conflcit of the Oedipus Complex resolved?
It's resolved naturally at the end of the stage when the boy identifies with father & resolves to be like him (instead of being threatened by him). Resolving the conflict provides the boy with his gender identity.
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What is the female Oedipus Complex called?
Electra Complex
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Why does a girl resent the mother in the Electra Complex?
Because she blames mum for her lack of penis - penis envy.
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How does the girl resolve the Electra Complex conflict?
She represses feelings to remove tension and replacing penis envy with desire for a baby. She identifies with mother and takes on female gender role.
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Which case study did Freud use as evidence for the Oedipus Complex?
Little Hans
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What are the two strengths of the Psychodynamic Approach?
There are practical applications (hypnosis & dream interpretations techniques/treating mental illness) so valuable in real life & Supporting evidence (Harris & Campbell/Freud) so valid
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What are the two weaknesses of the Psychodynamic Approach?
Supporting evidence is unscientific (case study/mind cannot be directly observed) so may be invalid/unreliable & Deterministic (Free will is an illusion) so approach should be regarded with caution
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Card 2

Front

In the Psychodynamic Approach determined by...(3 key assumptions)

Back

The unconscious mind; early childhood experiences and instinctive desires

Card 3

Front

What are the 3 levels of the mind according to the Psychodynamic Approach?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is the role of the unconscious?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Outline Harris and Campbell's research.

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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