The greatest criticism of the psychodynamic approach is Freud pioneered a new type of therapy known as psych
that it is unscientific in its analysis of human uses a v ariety of methods to gain access to the unconsc
behavior. Many of the concepts central to Freud's dream interpretation. hypnosis and analysis.
theories are subjectiv e, and as such, difficult to test Sigmund Freud and his followers were the first to show th
scientifically. This is because it is not open to empirical psychological therapy, rather than biological treatment
testing, and therefore the possibility of being disprov ed. potential to help people with disorders like depression. A
Many of Freud’s concepts, such as the id, Oedipus comprehensiv e rev iew of psychotherapy studies conclud
complex, and defense mechanisms, are unconscious psychoanalysis resulted in considerable improv ements in
and so untreated problems years after treatment, the effects ar
cannot be studied directly
The approach's ap
Psychodynamic support its externa
WEAKNESS STRENGTH implying that the p
approach evaluation be used to help su
treatments. Howev
therapies, these tr
The humanistic approach makes the Many of the claims of psychoanalysis have been necessitate a signi
criticism that the psychodynamic tested and many of them have of effort from the p
perspectiv e is too deterministic. Freud been supported by scientific methodology. For because they requ
suggests that all thoughts, behaviors, and example, a meta-analysis concluded that think about their p
emotions are determined by our childhood experimental studies of psychoanalysis compare Furthermore, psyc
experiences and unconscious mental well with studies relev ant to any other major been criticised as
processes. area of psychology. In particular, they found inappropriate, if no
support for the existence of unconscious people suffering fr
This is a weakness because it suggests we motiv ation in human behavior as well as for the serious mental diso
have no conscious free will ov er our defense mechanisms. These support the v alidity schizophrenia.
behavior, leav ing little room for the idea of of the psychodynamic approach as they
personal agency (i.e., free will). support the importance of the unconscious and
defence mechanisms in behaviour.
that it is unscientific in its analysis of human uses a v ariety of methods to gain access to the unconsc
behavior. Many of the concepts central to Freud's dream interpretation. hypnosis and analysis.
theories are subjectiv e, and as such, difficult to test Sigmund Freud and his followers were the first to show th
scientifically. This is because it is not open to empirical psychological therapy, rather than biological treatment
testing, and therefore the possibility of being disprov ed. potential to help people with disorders like depression. A
Many of Freud’s concepts, such as the id, Oedipus comprehensiv e rev iew of psychotherapy studies conclud
complex, and defense mechanisms, are unconscious psychoanalysis resulted in considerable improv ements in
and so untreated problems years after treatment, the effects ar
cannot be studied directly
The approach's ap
Psychodynamic support its externa
WEAKNESS STRENGTH implying that the p
approach evaluation be used to help su
treatments. Howev
therapies, these tr
The humanistic approach makes the Many of the claims of psychoanalysis have been necessitate a signi
criticism that the psychodynamic tested and many of them have of effort from the p
perspectiv e is too deterministic. Freud been supported by scientific methodology. For because they requ
suggests that all thoughts, behaviors, and example, a meta-analysis concluded that think about their p
emotions are determined by our childhood experimental studies of psychoanalysis compare Furthermore, psyc
experiences and unconscious mental well with studies relev ant to any other major been criticised as
processes. area of psychology. In particular, they found inappropriate, if no
support for the existence of unconscious people suffering fr
This is a weakness because it suggests we motiv ation in human behavior as well as for the serious mental diso
have no conscious free will ov er our defense mechanisms. These support the v alidity schizophrenia.
behavior, leav ing little room for the idea of of the psychodynamic approach as they
personal agency (i.e., free will). support the importance of the unconscious and
defence mechanisms in behaviour.
