Psychodynamic approach
Freud’s psychodynamic approach claims that our behaviour is powerfully affected by our
unconscious motives and our childhood experiences.
The iceberg metaphor is often used to describe the mind. The mind is split into 3 parts: the
conscious, the preconscious, and the subconscious.
- The conscious is the visible part of the mind. It contains all the mental processes we
are aware of and can be easily accessed. It is the ‘tip of the iceberg.’ It contains the
ego.
- The pre-conscious contains thoughts and ideas that we are not currently aware of
but can access with effort. This is where available accessible memories are found.
Freud claimed that the preconscious is where thoughts remain ‘until they can attract
the eye of the conscious.’ The preconscious contains the ego and superego.
- The unconscious is the part of the mind that we are not aware of and cannot access
without a trained psychologist. It contains biological drives, instincts, and repressed
material. The unconscious mind affects behaviour in ‘Freudian slips.’ It also contains
the superego and Id.
Freud’s theory of personality. This is a tripartite system: the id, ego, and superego. The 3
parts of the personality develop at different stages of life. Each structure demands
gratification and is constantly at conflict with the other parts.
- ID. The Id operates in the unconscious and is present at birth. It contains the
biological aspects of the personality. This includes the sexual instinct ‘ethos.’ The
libido is the sexual energy created by reproductive instincts. It also contains the
aggressive death instinct known as ‘Thanatos.’ The id operates according to the
pleasure principle. It is selfish and demands immediate gratification regardless of the
circumstances.
- The ego is found in the conscious and develops between 0 and 2 years. It is rational
and mediates between the impulsive demands of the if and the superego. It
considers the social norms and etiquette of the circumstance. It operates according
to the reality principle. It is the decision-making structure.
- The superego is found in the preconscious and unconscious and develops at around
the age of 5. It is developed from societal and parental standards of appropriate and
good behaviour. It punishes the ego and causes feelings of guilt if rules are broken. It
operates under the morality principle.
Psychosexual stages.
The personality is developed through 5 stages known as the psychosexual stages. In each
stage, the libido is expressed in different ways through different parts of the body. In each
stage the libido is fixated on a different part of the body.
Stage Erogenous zone Age Effect on behaviour
Oral Mouth 0-2 years Child expresses
sexual energy
through sucking and
biting
Freud’s psychodynamic approach claims that our behaviour is powerfully affected by our
unconscious motives and our childhood experiences.
The iceberg metaphor is often used to describe the mind. The mind is split into 3 parts: the
conscious, the preconscious, and the subconscious.
- The conscious is the visible part of the mind. It contains all the mental processes we
are aware of and can be easily accessed. It is the ‘tip of the iceberg.’ It contains the
ego.
- The pre-conscious contains thoughts and ideas that we are not currently aware of
but can access with effort. This is where available accessible memories are found.
Freud claimed that the preconscious is where thoughts remain ‘until they can attract
the eye of the conscious.’ The preconscious contains the ego and superego.
- The unconscious is the part of the mind that we are not aware of and cannot access
without a trained psychologist. It contains biological drives, instincts, and repressed
material. The unconscious mind affects behaviour in ‘Freudian slips.’ It also contains
the superego and Id.
Freud’s theory of personality. This is a tripartite system: the id, ego, and superego. The 3
parts of the personality develop at different stages of life. Each structure demands
gratification and is constantly at conflict with the other parts.
- ID. The Id operates in the unconscious and is present at birth. It contains the
biological aspects of the personality. This includes the sexual instinct ‘ethos.’ The
libido is the sexual energy created by reproductive instincts. It also contains the
aggressive death instinct known as ‘Thanatos.’ The id operates according to the
pleasure principle. It is selfish and demands immediate gratification regardless of the
circumstances.
- The ego is found in the conscious and develops between 0 and 2 years. It is rational
and mediates between the impulsive demands of the if and the superego. It
considers the social norms and etiquette of the circumstance. It operates according
to the reality principle. It is the decision-making structure.
- The superego is found in the preconscious and unconscious and develops at around
the age of 5. It is developed from societal and parental standards of appropriate and
good behaviour. It punishes the ego and causes feelings of guilt if rules are broken. It
operates under the morality principle.
Psychosexual stages.
The personality is developed through 5 stages known as the psychosexual stages. In each
stage, the libido is expressed in different ways through different parts of the body. In each
stage the libido is fixated on a different part of the body.
Stage Erogenous zone Age Effect on behaviour
Oral Mouth 0-2 years Child expresses
sexual energy
through sucking and
biting
