Psychodynamic Approach
Assumptions
The assumption ‘Influence of Childhood Experiences’ says that events in
childhood shape adult personality. There are 5 psychosexual stages of
development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital) where libido is focused on
a different body part. Problems in any of these stages leads to the child
becoming fixated (stuck) at the body part associated with that stage. Frustration
is when the stage is not resolved because the child’s needs haven’t been met.
Overindulgence is when the child’s needs have been satisfied but they feel too
comfortable to move onto the next stage.
The assumption ‘The Unconscious Mind’ says that the mind is like an iceberg.
The conscious mind is what we are aware of, whilst the preconscious mind is
what we could be aware of if we turned our attention. The unconscious mind is
inaccessible but can express itself indirectly and motivates much of our
behaviour. There are unresolved conflicts in the unconscious mind which can
present themselves in disguised forms through dreams and fantasies. Ego
defence mechanisms such as projection, displacement, and repression deal with
the stress caused by the conflict of the id and superego.
The assumption ‘Tripartite Personality’ says that there are 3 parts of personality
in conflict with each other. The id is part of the unconscious mind and we are
born with it. It works on the pleasure principle, wanting instant gratification. A
strong id results in a person becoming selfish and antisocial. The ego is the
rational and conscious part of personality. It works on the reality principle and
must balance the drives of the id and the control of the superego. The superego
develops at around age 5 and acts as a conscience. It internalises moral rules
and social norms, often from parents. A strong ego may result in a person being
unable to experience pleasure.
Relationship Formation
Childhood experiences can offer a psychodynamic explanation for relationship
formation. Overindulgence in the oral stage leads to an unhealthy dependency
on others in later life. Fixation in the phallic stage can lead to someone being
incapable of loving another person. An unresolved Oedipus Complex in the
phallic stage can lead to homosexuality according to Freud.
Ego defence mechanisms can also explain relationship formation. Forming adult
relationships can bring up unpleasant memories from the past so ego defence
mechanisms are used to avoid anxiety. If a person is in denial about their
sexuality, they are likely to form dysfunctional relationships that aren’t in line
with their true feelings. Also, people deal with the guilt of having an affair
through rationalisation. Defence mechanisms affect personality, so it’s inevitable
that they affect relationships.
Dream Analysis
The unconscious mind expresses itself through dreams. Traumatic memories
from childhood experiences are buried in the unconscious mind and may
resurface during dreams. The unacceptable desires of the id are relegated to
dreams where they act out wishes/desires in an acceptable way.
Assumptions
The assumption ‘Influence of Childhood Experiences’ says that events in
childhood shape adult personality. There are 5 psychosexual stages of
development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital) where libido is focused on
a different body part. Problems in any of these stages leads to the child
becoming fixated (stuck) at the body part associated with that stage. Frustration
is when the stage is not resolved because the child’s needs haven’t been met.
Overindulgence is when the child’s needs have been satisfied but they feel too
comfortable to move onto the next stage.
The assumption ‘The Unconscious Mind’ says that the mind is like an iceberg.
The conscious mind is what we are aware of, whilst the preconscious mind is
what we could be aware of if we turned our attention. The unconscious mind is
inaccessible but can express itself indirectly and motivates much of our
behaviour. There are unresolved conflicts in the unconscious mind which can
present themselves in disguised forms through dreams and fantasies. Ego
defence mechanisms such as projection, displacement, and repression deal with
the stress caused by the conflict of the id and superego.
The assumption ‘Tripartite Personality’ says that there are 3 parts of personality
in conflict with each other. The id is part of the unconscious mind and we are
born with it. It works on the pleasure principle, wanting instant gratification. A
strong id results in a person becoming selfish and antisocial. The ego is the
rational and conscious part of personality. It works on the reality principle and
must balance the drives of the id and the control of the superego. The superego
develops at around age 5 and acts as a conscience. It internalises moral rules
and social norms, often from parents. A strong ego may result in a person being
unable to experience pleasure.
Relationship Formation
Childhood experiences can offer a psychodynamic explanation for relationship
formation. Overindulgence in the oral stage leads to an unhealthy dependency
on others in later life. Fixation in the phallic stage can lead to someone being
incapable of loving another person. An unresolved Oedipus Complex in the
phallic stage can lead to homosexuality according to Freud.
Ego defence mechanisms can also explain relationship formation. Forming adult
relationships can bring up unpleasant memories from the past so ego defence
mechanisms are used to avoid anxiety. If a person is in denial about their
sexuality, they are likely to form dysfunctional relationships that aren’t in line
with their true feelings. Also, people deal with the guilt of having an affair
through rationalisation. Defence mechanisms affect personality, so it’s inevitable
that they affect relationships.
Dream Analysis
The unconscious mind expresses itself through dreams. Traumatic memories
from childhood experiences are buried in the unconscious mind and may
resurface during dreams. The unacceptable desires of the id are relegated to
dreams where they act out wishes/desires in an acceptable way.
