The Psychodynamic Approach
Sigmund Freud
Who developed the psychodynamic approach?
The psychodynamic approach was mainly initiated by Sigmund Freud, writing
between the 1890’s and the 1930’s, a Viennese doctor, who specialised in
neurology.
What is the psychodynamic approach?
Psychologists who adopt this approach emphasise the psychodynamics of the
mind
What does this mean?
This means that different forces operate in the mind and at times cause inner
mental conflict that may be painful to the person
What is the predominant method of study adopted by the psychodynamic
approach?
The predominant method of study is the case study method conducted within
a clinical setting – therapy
How does the psychodynamic approach differ from the behaviourist
approach?
In deliberate contrast, to behaviourist psychology, which places a strong
emphasis on systematic scientific research, psychodynamic psychology ignored
the trappings of science and instead focuses on trying to get “inside the head’
of individuals in order to make sense of their relationships, experiences and
how they see the world.
, Basic assumptions / distinguishing features
The psychodynamic approach as developed by Freud had a very fixed set of assumptions
- The role of the unconscious
- The structure of personality
- Psychosexual stages
- Defence mechanisms
, Role of the unconscious (basic assumption) – unconscious
mental processes of which we are unaware determine our
behaviour
One of Freud’s most fundamental assumptions was psychic determinism
What is psychic determinism?
Psychic determinism states that;
All behaviour has a cause (is determined) and that the cause is to be found in the mind
What did Freud state?
Freud stated that whenever we make a choice or decision in our lives, hidden mental
processes, or which we are unaware and have no control over, determine these choices or
decisions.
What did Freud suggest?
Freud suggested that free will is therefore a delusion
What does that mean?
We are not entirely aware of what we are thinking and we often act in ways that have little
to do without conscious thoughts
Examples
Freud believed that the influences of the unconscious reveal themselves ina variety of ways:
Have you ever had the experiences of:
o Doing something out of character such as taking a dislike to a stranger?
Psychodynamic Approach explanation:
You might have disliked the stranger because they remined you of someone else
o Forgetting to go to an appointment that was important but which you were secretly
dreading
Psychodynamic Approach explanation:
Forgotten the appointment because you simply did not want to go
o Slips of the tongue – “Freudian Slips”
Freud give an example of such a slip when a British member of Parliament referred
to a colleague as ‘the honourable member from hell” instead of from Hull
Psychodynamic Approach explanation:
Were irritated with the colleague
If you have, then the chances are that you were influenced by unconscious mental
processes – i.e., wishes, emotions, etc of which you were not aware.
What does the psychodynamic approach do?
The psychodynamic approach is an approach to psychology which emphasises these
unconscious processes.
Sigmund Freud
Who developed the psychodynamic approach?
The psychodynamic approach was mainly initiated by Sigmund Freud, writing
between the 1890’s and the 1930’s, a Viennese doctor, who specialised in
neurology.
What is the psychodynamic approach?
Psychologists who adopt this approach emphasise the psychodynamics of the
mind
What does this mean?
This means that different forces operate in the mind and at times cause inner
mental conflict that may be painful to the person
What is the predominant method of study adopted by the psychodynamic
approach?
The predominant method of study is the case study method conducted within
a clinical setting – therapy
How does the psychodynamic approach differ from the behaviourist
approach?
In deliberate contrast, to behaviourist psychology, which places a strong
emphasis on systematic scientific research, psychodynamic psychology ignored
the trappings of science and instead focuses on trying to get “inside the head’
of individuals in order to make sense of their relationships, experiences and
how they see the world.
, Basic assumptions / distinguishing features
The psychodynamic approach as developed by Freud had a very fixed set of assumptions
- The role of the unconscious
- The structure of personality
- Psychosexual stages
- Defence mechanisms
, Role of the unconscious (basic assumption) – unconscious
mental processes of which we are unaware determine our
behaviour
One of Freud’s most fundamental assumptions was psychic determinism
What is psychic determinism?
Psychic determinism states that;
All behaviour has a cause (is determined) and that the cause is to be found in the mind
What did Freud state?
Freud stated that whenever we make a choice or decision in our lives, hidden mental
processes, or which we are unaware and have no control over, determine these choices or
decisions.
What did Freud suggest?
Freud suggested that free will is therefore a delusion
What does that mean?
We are not entirely aware of what we are thinking and we often act in ways that have little
to do without conscious thoughts
Examples
Freud believed that the influences of the unconscious reveal themselves ina variety of ways:
Have you ever had the experiences of:
o Doing something out of character such as taking a dislike to a stranger?
Psychodynamic Approach explanation:
You might have disliked the stranger because they remined you of someone else
o Forgetting to go to an appointment that was important but which you were secretly
dreading
Psychodynamic Approach explanation:
Forgotten the appointment because you simply did not want to go
o Slips of the tongue – “Freudian Slips”
Freud give an example of such a slip when a British member of Parliament referred
to a colleague as ‘the honourable member from hell” instead of from Hull
Psychodynamic Approach explanation:
Were irritated with the colleague
If you have, then the chances are that you were influenced by unconscious mental
processes – i.e., wishes, emotions, etc of which you were not aware.
What does the psychodynamic approach do?
The psychodynamic approach is an approach to psychology which emphasises these
unconscious processes.
