Psychodynamic Evaluation
Strength - Nature-Nurture - correct answer-One strength of the psychodynamic approach is
that it takes into account both sides of the nature-nurture debate.
This is a strength as it takes an interactionist approach in explaining behaviour. This means
that the influence of nature, the characteristics we are born with are considered as well as
the influence of nurture, the things that develop through our early childhood experiences
resulting in a more complex explanation of behaviour.
Freud claims the adult personality is the result of our innate drives (our nature) and our
childhood experiences (our nurture). At the oral stage, the ID is active here if they were oral
receptive and given as soon as they want, they can have a trusting personality.
Strength - Usefulness - correct answer-A strength of the psychodynamic approach is that it
highlights the importance of early childhood experiences.
This is a strength because it emphasises the importance of the first 3 years of a child's life.
This is considered to be a 'critical' period in a child's development and will have an impact on
adult behaviour. If we are aware that maternal deprivation leads to emotionally
disturbed/delinquency so someone who doesn't feel remorse, then strategies can be put in
place to lessen the effects of deprivation during this critical period.
For example, research by Spitz demonstrated that south american children who had no love
showed towards them and no toys to play with due to untrained and overworked staff led to
them suffering anaclitic depression so this can be used to ensure children go into foster
homes so they can have interactions with a mother figure.
Strength - Less Reductionist - correct answer-A strength of the psychodynamic approach is
that it is less reductionist as Freud's explanations take into account the complexity of human
behaviour. This is because the approach recognises the human behaviour is influenced by
various factors which cannot be separated. This is a strength as it means this explanation,
unlike others approaches does not adopt a narrow view of human behaviour by reducing
explanations for behaviour to one factor.
For example, psychoanalysis uses numerous techniques to reveal deeper meanings behind
behaviour and recognises that understanding behaviour is a lengthy process
For example, Bowlby's study of 44 juvenile thieves considered other factors that could have
caused them to have delinquent behaviour such as school reports, interviews with their
mothers and IQ tests.
Weakness - Scientific approach - correct answer-One weakness of the psychodynamic
approach is that is doesn't adopt a scientific approach when investigating human behaviour.
This is a weakness because it means the approach does not meet the scientific criteria,
psychodyanamic theories are based on opinion and not scientific evidence, conclusions are
not objective and theories cannot be proven. As a result, some may view the approach as
not being credible.
For example, Freud's assumption of behaviour can be infulenced by different levels of
consciousness and can be explained by the metaphor of an iceberg. Above the water are
the rational and logical thoughts in the conscious mind, the just below the surface of water is
the pre-conscious mind where you find past memories and then far down underwater is the
Strength - Nature-Nurture - correct answer-One strength of the psychodynamic approach is
that it takes into account both sides of the nature-nurture debate.
This is a strength as it takes an interactionist approach in explaining behaviour. This means
that the influence of nature, the characteristics we are born with are considered as well as
the influence of nurture, the things that develop through our early childhood experiences
resulting in a more complex explanation of behaviour.
Freud claims the adult personality is the result of our innate drives (our nature) and our
childhood experiences (our nurture). At the oral stage, the ID is active here if they were oral
receptive and given as soon as they want, they can have a trusting personality.
Strength - Usefulness - correct answer-A strength of the psychodynamic approach is that it
highlights the importance of early childhood experiences.
This is a strength because it emphasises the importance of the first 3 years of a child's life.
This is considered to be a 'critical' period in a child's development and will have an impact on
adult behaviour. If we are aware that maternal deprivation leads to emotionally
disturbed/delinquency so someone who doesn't feel remorse, then strategies can be put in
place to lessen the effects of deprivation during this critical period.
For example, research by Spitz demonstrated that south american children who had no love
showed towards them and no toys to play with due to untrained and overworked staff led to
them suffering anaclitic depression so this can be used to ensure children go into foster
homes so they can have interactions with a mother figure.
Strength - Less Reductionist - correct answer-A strength of the psychodynamic approach is
that it is less reductionist as Freud's explanations take into account the complexity of human
behaviour. This is because the approach recognises the human behaviour is influenced by
various factors which cannot be separated. This is a strength as it means this explanation,
unlike others approaches does not adopt a narrow view of human behaviour by reducing
explanations for behaviour to one factor.
For example, psychoanalysis uses numerous techniques to reveal deeper meanings behind
behaviour and recognises that understanding behaviour is a lengthy process
For example, Bowlby's study of 44 juvenile thieves considered other factors that could have
caused them to have delinquent behaviour such as school reports, interviews with their
mothers and IQ tests.
Weakness - Scientific approach - correct answer-One weakness of the psychodynamic
approach is that is doesn't adopt a scientific approach when investigating human behaviour.
This is a weakness because it means the approach does not meet the scientific criteria,
psychodyanamic theories are based on opinion and not scientific evidence, conclusions are
not objective and theories cannot be proven. As a result, some may view the approach as
not being credible.
For example, Freud's assumption of behaviour can be infulenced by different levels of
consciousness and can be explained by the metaphor of an iceberg. Above the water are
the rational and logical thoughts in the conscious mind, the just below the surface of water is
the pre-conscious mind where you find past memories and then far down underwater is the
