The psychodynamic approach: the role of the unconscious, the structure of personality, that is ID, ego and superego, defence mechanisms including repression, denial and displacement, psychosexual stages.
The role of the unconscious
Freud believed in the existence of a part of the mind that was inaccessible to conscious thought, he referred to this as the unconscious mind. He believed that most of our everyday actions and behaviours are not controlled consciously but are the product of the unconscious mind, which reveals itself in slips of the tongue "Freudian slips", in creativity and in neurotic symptoms. The unconscious he believed extended its influence into every part of our waking and sleeping lives, Freud believed that the mind actively prevents traumatic memories from the unconscious from reaching conscious awareness. These memories might cause anxiety therefore the mind uses defence mechanisms to prevent the person from becoming aware of them.
The Structure of Personality
The Id- operates solely in the unconscious, it contains the libido, the biological energy created by reproductive instincts. The id operates according to the pleasure principle it demands immediate gratification regardless of circumstances, i.e. if a person is hungry then the id demands that they eat there and then immediately.
The ego- mediates between the impulsive demands of the id and the reality of the external world, i.e. it would delay immediate gratification and wait for an appropriate time.
The superego- this is divided into the conscience and the ego-ideal. The conscience is the internalisation of societal rules, it determines behaviour that is permissible and causes feelings of guilt when rules are broken. The ego-ideal is what a person strives towards and is most probably determined by parental standards of good behaviour.
Freud believed in the existence of a part of the mind that was inaccessible to conscious thought, he referred to this as the unconscious mind. He believed that most of our everyday actions and behaviours are not controlled consciously but are the product of the unconscious mind, which reveals itself in slips of the tongue "Freudian slips", in creativity and in neurotic symptoms. The unconscious he believed extended its influence into every part of our waking and sleeping lives, Freud believed that the mind actively prevents traumatic memories from the unconscious from reaching conscious awareness. These memories might cause anxiety therefore the mind uses defence mechanisms to prevent the person from becoming aware of them.
The Structure of Personality
The Id- operates solely in the unconscious, it contains the libido, the biological energy created by reproductive instincts. The id operates according to the pleasure principle it demands immediate gratification regardless of circumstances, i.e. if a person is hungry then the id demands that they eat there and then immediately.
The ego- mediates between the impulsive demands of the id and the reality of the external world, i.e. it would delay immediate gratification and wait for an appropriate time.
The superego- this is divided into the conscience and the ego-ideal. The conscience is the internalisation of societal rules, it determines behaviour that is permissible and causes feelings of guilt when rules are broken. The ego-ideal is what a person strives towards and is most probably determined by parental standards of good behaviour.
Defence Mechanisms
Repression- refers to the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts and impulses. Rather than staying quietly in the unconscious these repressed thoughts and impulses continue to influence behaviour without the individual being aware of the reasons behind their behaviour. For example a child who is abused by a parent may have no recollection of these events but may have trouble forming relationships.
Denial- the refusal to accept reality so as to avoid having to deal with any painful feelings associated with that event. The person acts as if the traumatic event had not happened, something which those around them find quite bizarre. For example an alcoholic denying that they have a problem despite being arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
Displacement- the redirecting of thoughts or feelings (usually hostile) in situations where the person feels unable to express them in the presence of the person they should be directed towards. Instead they may take it out on a helpless victim or object.
Repression- refers to the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts and impulses. Rather than staying quietly in the unconscious these repressed thoughts and impulses continue to influence behaviour without the individual being aware of the reasons behind their behaviour. For example a child who is abused by a parent may have no recollection of these events but may have trouble forming relationships.
Denial- the refusal to accept reality so as to avoid having to deal with any painful feelings associated with that event. The person acts as if the traumatic event had not happened, something which those around them find quite bizarre. For example an alcoholic denying that they have a problem despite being arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
Displacement- the redirecting of thoughts or feelings (usually hostile) in situations where the person feels unable to express them in the presence of the person they should be directed towards. Instead they may take it out on a helpless victim or object.
Psychosexual Stages
Freud believed that the personality developed through a sequence of five stages. These are referred to as the psychosexual stages to emphasise that the most important driving force in development is the need to express sexual energy(libido). Freud believed that the individual experiences tension due to the build up of sexual energy and that pleasure comes from its discharge. At each stage this energy is expressed in different ways and through different parts of the body.
Freud believed that the personality developed through a sequence of five stages. These are referred to as the psychosexual stages to emphasise that the most important driving force in development is the need to express sexual energy(libido). Freud believed that the individual experiences tension due to the build up of sexual energy and that pleasure comes from its discharge. At each stage this energy is expressed in different ways and through different parts of the body.
Evaluation
Strengths
Psychoanalysis a pioneering approach- the development of psychoanalysis as an explanation of human behaviour represented a huge shift in psychological thinking. It suggested new methodological procedures for gathering empirical evidence and the development of the approach was based on observations of behaviour rather than relying on introspection. From these observations Freud and fellow psychologists were able to demonstrate potential psychological rather than biological treatments for disorders such as depression and anxiety. Maat et al (2009) large scale review of psychotherapist studies concluded that psychoanalysis produced significant improvements in symptoms that were maintained in the years after treatment.
Scientific support for the psychoanalytic approach - critics often claim there is no evidence for psychoanalysis and that its claims are not testable or falsifiable. However many of the claims have been tested and many have been confirmed using scientific methodology. Fisher and Greenberg (1996) summarised some 2,500 of these studies concluding that experimental studies of psychoanalysis compare well with studies relevant to any other major area of psychology. In particular they found support for the existence of unconscious motivation in human behaviour as well as for the defence mechanisms of repression, denial and displacement.
Limitations
Psychoanalysis is a gender biased approach- Freud's view od women and female sexuality were less developed than his views on men. He seemed content to remain ignorant of female sexuality and how it may differ to male sexuality. Karen Horney criticised his work particularly his views on women and their development. Dismissing women and their sexuality in this way is problematic because Freud treated women and also because his theories are so influential still today.
Psychoanalysis is a culture biased approach - Sue and Sue (2008) argue that psychoanalysis has little relevance for people from non-western cultures. Psychoanalysts believe that mental disorders are the result of traumatic memories being locked in the unconscious and that freeing them would give people the chance to deal with their demons in a therapeutic and supportive way. They fail to take into account that in some cultures those that are depressed may do all that they can to avoid discussing it, in China as an example a person who is depressed would avoid these thoughts for fear it would cause distress.
Psychoanalysis: a comprehensive theory- one of the main strengths is the comprehensive nature of the theory. As well as therapeutic applications many experts say it can be used to explain many other aspects of human behaviour outside of the realm of psychology.
Strengths
Psychoanalysis a pioneering approach- the development of psychoanalysis as an explanation of human behaviour represented a huge shift in psychological thinking. It suggested new methodological procedures for gathering empirical evidence and the development of the approach was based on observations of behaviour rather than relying on introspection. From these observations Freud and fellow psychologists were able to demonstrate potential psychological rather than biological treatments for disorders such as depression and anxiety. Maat et al (2009) large scale review of psychotherapist studies concluded that psychoanalysis produced significant improvements in symptoms that were maintained in the years after treatment.
Scientific support for the psychoanalytic approach - critics often claim there is no evidence for psychoanalysis and that its claims are not testable or falsifiable. However many of the claims have been tested and many have been confirmed using scientific methodology. Fisher and Greenberg (1996) summarised some 2,500 of these studies concluding that experimental studies of psychoanalysis compare well with studies relevant to any other major area of psychology. In particular they found support for the existence of unconscious motivation in human behaviour as well as for the defence mechanisms of repression, denial and displacement.
Limitations
Psychoanalysis is a gender biased approach- Freud's view od women and female sexuality were less developed than his views on men. He seemed content to remain ignorant of female sexuality and how it may differ to male sexuality. Karen Horney criticised his work particularly his views on women and their development. Dismissing women and their sexuality in this way is problematic because Freud treated women and also because his theories are so influential still today.
Psychoanalysis is a culture biased approach - Sue and Sue (2008) argue that psychoanalysis has little relevance for people from non-western cultures. Psychoanalysts believe that mental disorders are the result of traumatic memories being locked in the unconscious and that freeing them would give people the chance to deal with their demons in a therapeutic and supportive way. They fail to take into account that in some cultures those that are depressed may do all that they can to avoid discussing it, in China as an example a person who is depressed would avoid these thoughts for fear it would cause distress.
Psychoanalysis: a comprehensive theory- one of the main strengths is the comprehensive nature of the theory. As well as therapeutic applications many experts say it can be used to explain many other aspects of human behaviour outside of the realm of psychology.
Key Terms
Defence Mechanisms- unconscious strategies that protect our conscious mind from anxiety. Defence mechanisms involve a distortion of reality in some way, so that we are better able to cope with a situation.
Psychoanalysis- a term used to describe the personality theory and therapy associated with Sigmund Freud.
Psychodynamic- Refers to any theory that emphasises change and development in the individual particularly those theories where drive is a central concept in development. The best known psychodynamic theory is Freudian psychoanalysis.
Unconscious- the part of the human mind that contains repressed ideas and memories, as well as primitive desires and impulses that have never been allowed to enter the conscious mind.
Defence Mechanisms- unconscious strategies that protect our conscious mind from anxiety. Defence mechanisms involve a distortion of reality in some way, so that we are better able to cope with a situation.
Psychoanalysis- a term used to describe the personality theory and therapy associated with Sigmund Freud.
Psychodynamic- Refers to any theory that emphasises change and development in the individual particularly those theories where drive is a central concept in development. The best known psychodynamic theory is Freudian psychoanalysis.
Unconscious- the part of the human mind that contains repressed ideas and memories, as well as primitive desires and impulses that have never been allowed to enter the conscious mind.
Activities
Can you explain the role of the unconscious.
Outline the structure of personality from a psychodynamic perspective.
Explain what is meant by the terms id, ego and superego.
Explain defence mechanisms repression, denial and displacement.
Outline two strengths and two limitations of the psychodynamic approach.
Outline and evaluate the psychodynamic approach in psychology.
Can you explain the role of the unconscious.
Outline the structure of personality from a psychodynamic perspective.
Explain what is meant by the terms id, ego and superego.
Explain defence mechanisms repression, denial and displacement.
Outline two strengths and two limitations of the psychodynamic approach.
Outline and evaluate the psychodynamic approach in psychology.