AQA Psychology (A-Level) -
Approaches - The Psychodynamic
Approach2
Freud's theory of psychoanalysis - ANSWERS-Freud believed behavior was determined by
factors that were psychological, not biological or by the environment and made an assumption
people are born with innate, basic needs and instincts and that behavior is under control by the
unconscious mind.
The unconscious mind and its role - ANSWERS-Freud believed that most of our everyday actions
and behaviours are the product of our unconscious mind and are not controlled consciously.
Such unconscious behaviours are revealed in 'slips of the tongue' known as Freudian slips, in
creativity and in neurotic symptoms. Freud believed the mind prevents traumatic events
emerging from the unconscious to reach conscious awareness, as such memories might cause
anxiety, so the mind uses defence mechanisms to prevent the person becoming aware of them.
Personality structure - ANSWERS-Freud divided the mind into three: the id, ego and superego,
all demanding gratification, and are often in conflict.
Id - ANSWERS-Contains the libido (biological energy created by reproductive instincts). Operates
according to the pleasure principle - demands immediate gratification irrespective of
circumstances.
Example of how the id works - ANSWERS-If a person is hungry, it demands they eat there and
then.
Ego - ANSWERS-Mediates between the impulsivity of the id and the reality principle (reality of
the external world). Also must compromise between the demands of the id and the super-ego,
impulsive and moralistic respectively.
Approaches - The Psychodynamic
Approach2
Freud's theory of psychoanalysis - ANSWERS-Freud believed behavior was determined by
factors that were psychological, not biological or by the environment and made an assumption
people are born with innate, basic needs and instincts and that behavior is under control by the
unconscious mind.
The unconscious mind and its role - ANSWERS-Freud believed that most of our everyday actions
and behaviours are the product of our unconscious mind and are not controlled consciously.
Such unconscious behaviours are revealed in 'slips of the tongue' known as Freudian slips, in
creativity and in neurotic symptoms. Freud believed the mind prevents traumatic events
emerging from the unconscious to reach conscious awareness, as such memories might cause
anxiety, so the mind uses defence mechanisms to prevent the person becoming aware of them.
Personality structure - ANSWERS-Freud divided the mind into three: the id, ego and superego,
all demanding gratification, and are often in conflict.
Id - ANSWERS-Contains the libido (biological energy created by reproductive instincts). Operates
according to the pleasure principle - demands immediate gratification irrespective of
circumstances.
Example of how the id works - ANSWERS-If a person is hungry, it demands they eat there and
then.
Ego - ANSWERS-Mediates between the impulsivity of the id and the reality principle (reality of
the external world). Also must compromise between the demands of the id and the super-ego,
impulsive and moralistic respectively.
