What are the PSYCHODYNAMIC assumptions?
- Tripartite Personality
- The Unconscious Mind
- Influence of Childhood Experiences
What are the three parts of the tripartite model of personality?
id - pleasure principle
ego - reality principle
superego - morality principle
What is the function of the id?
Present at birth (unconscious part of our personality), main aim is to gain pleasure and gratification at any cost.
What is the function of the ego?
The conscious, rational part of our personality (develops around 2 years old), work out how to balance demands of the id in a socially acceptable way. Also balances conflict between the id and superego. Develops defense mechanisms to protect our mind from trauma.
What is the function of the superego?
Last part to develop (around 4 years old), seeks to perfect and civilise our behaviour - sense of right and wrong.
Give an example of how the tripartite model affects our personality?
EXAMPLE:
A criminal would have a weak superego and a dominant id because the id is responsible for impulses and violence.
What is the unconscious mind?
We don’t have direct access to our unconscious mind but it still affects our behaviour, ruled by pleasure seeking. Indirectly shows itself through, for example, dreams.
What is the conscious mind?
What we are currently aware of, rational thoughts and feelings.
What is the pre-conscious mind?
What we could be conscious of if we thought about it (memories, knowledge, opinions).
What methods can we use to uncover contents of the unconscious?
- Dream Analysis
- Ink Blot Test
- Free Association
What are the ego defense mechanisms?
Regression - reverting to an earlier stage of development.
Displacement - transfer of impulses from one person or object to another.
Projection - undesirable thoughts are attributed to someone else.
Repression - pushing painful memories deep down into our unconscious mind so they are effectively forgotten.
Give an example for how the unconscious mind may affect our behaviour?
A person’s anxiety might stem from unresolved childhood trauma hidden in the unconscious.
What are psychosexual stages and what problems can happen?
Each stage represents a different fixation of the libido. Problems can occur at any stage, which will have a long-lasting effect on personality. These problems can occur through:
Frustration - when needs in that stage have no been met.
Overindulgence - when the needs in that stage have been more than satisfied.
What are the 5 psychosexual stages?
- Oral Stage (0-18 months)
- Anal Stage (18months to 3yrs)
- Phallic Stage (3-5 years)
- Latency Stage (5yrs - Puberty)
- Genital Stage (Puberty onwards).
Give an example of how the psychosexual stages affect our behaviour.
If a child is frustrated at the anal stage they become anal retentive, meaning that they will become stubborn, very ordered and stingy in adulthood.
