Psychodynamic Approach
Closely associated with Sigmund Freud
Belied behaviour is governed by unconscious forces, mainly based on past
experiences.
The Role of The Unconscious
Behaviour influenced by different levels of consciousness
Freud suggested that part of mind that we know about and are aware of is
made up of the conscious mind - the ‘tip of the iceberg’
Most mind is made up of unconscious - storehouse of biological drives
that has significant influence on personality and behaviour
Unconscious also contains threatening and disturbing memories that have
been repressed, or locked away and forgotten.
The Conscious, Pre-Conscious, and Unconscious
The Conscious - Tip of iceberg (what we’re aware of) - everyday
thoughts and feelings
– i.e. ‘I’m hungry’
The Preconscious - Bubbling under the surface. Thoughts / feelings not
accessible at all times but can be recalled easily. May be thoughts we
become aware of in dreams or from slips of tongue.
– i.e. May not be thinking of your address, but you can easily recall it.
The Unconscious - All biological drives and instincts that influence
behaviour that we aren’t aware of. Deep dark shameful part - repressed
, emotions / memories / feelings we may forget.
– i.e. deep trauma
Structure of Personality
3 sections (tripartite) of the mind. Freud said we all have three
characteristics in our mind at the same time.
The ID (‘the it’)
– Primitive part of our personality.
– Operates on the pleasure principle (gets what you want)
– IT is a mass of unconscious drives and instincts
– Only ID present in birth
– Throughout life the ID is entirely selfish and demands instant
gratification.
The Ego (‘the I’)
– Developed at around 2yo.
– Works on reality principle and is the balance between the other two
parts of personality
– Makes person aware of other peoples feelings and that it can’t always
have its own way
– Its role is to reduce conflict between the demands of ID & Super-ego
– Manages it by using defence mechanisms.
The Superego (the ‘Other I’)
– Formed around the age of five at the end of the phallic stage
– It is our internalised sense of right & wrong
– Based on morality principle representing moral standards of child’s
same-sex parent
– Punishes ego for wrongdoing with guilt
Closely associated with Sigmund Freud
Belied behaviour is governed by unconscious forces, mainly based on past
experiences.
The Role of The Unconscious
Behaviour influenced by different levels of consciousness
Freud suggested that part of mind that we know about and are aware of is
made up of the conscious mind - the ‘tip of the iceberg’
Most mind is made up of unconscious - storehouse of biological drives
that has significant influence on personality and behaviour
Unconscious also contains threatening and disturbing memories that have
been repressed, or locked away and forgotten.
The Conscious, Pre-Conscious, and Unconscious
The Conscious - Tip of iceberg (what we’re aware of) - everyday
thoughts and feelings
– i.e. ‘I’m hungry’
The Preconscious - Bubbling under the surface. Thoughts / feelings not
accessible at all times but can be recalled easily. May be thoughts we
become aware of in dreams or from slips of tongue.
– i.e. May not be thinking of your address, but you can easily recall it.
The Unconscious - All biological drives and instincts that influence
behaviour that we aren’t aware of. Deep dark shameful part - repressed
, emotions / memories / feelings we may forget.
– i.e. deep trauma
Structure of Personality
3 sections (tripartite) of the mind. Freud said we all have three
characteristics in our mind at the same time.
The ID (‘the it’)
– Primitive part of our personality.
– Operates on the pleasure principle (gets what you want)
– IT is a mass of unconscious drives and instincts
– Only ID present in birth
– Throughout life the ID is entirely selfish and demands instant
gratification.
The Ego (‘the I’)
– Developed at around 2yo.
– Works on reality principle and is the balance between the other two
parts of personality
– Makes person aware of other peoples feelings and that it can’t always
have its own way
– Its role is to reduce conflict between the demands of ID & Super-ego
– Manages it by using defence mechanisms.
The Superego (the ‘Other I’)
– Formed around the age of five at the end of the phallic stage
– It is our internalised sense of right & wrong
– Based on morality principle representing moral standards of child’s
same-sex parent
– Punishes ego for wrongdoing with guilt
