Psychodynamic Theory
The Psychodynamic theory is an approach to psychology that observes the psychological powers underlying human behavior, feelings and emotions, and how they may relate to early childhood experiences. This theory is especially interested in the dynamic relations between conscious and unconscious motivation and asserts that behavior is the product of underlying conflicts.
Psychodynamic theory was arguably born in 1874 with the works of German scientist, Ernst von Brucke, who supposed that all living organisms are energy-systems governed by the principle of the conservation of energy. During the same year, medical the then young student, Sigmund Freud, adopted this new "dynamic" physiology and expanded it to create the original concept of "psychodynamics," in which he suggested that psychological processes are flows of psychosexual energy (libido) in a complex brain. Freud also coined the term "psychoanalysis." Developed further by Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Melanie Klein, and others, these theories became the cornerstone of psychodynamics (Mitchell, 1995).
Psychodynamic has it’s meaning in the root word ‘psyche’, a person’s unconscious part. In a less
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“Should be” that is. I have to hesitate when thinking that everyone should understand intimately, how the mind works, the ability of how to find the root cause of the superficial problems in a client’s everyday life. Sadly, I have come to understand, with crystal, clear clarity, people, in general, are not responsible enough to wield such power. After all, the lies we spew outwards do less damage than the lies we keep secret. We hate the shadows of ourselves we see in others. Getting a person to the point of honesty, with and about him or herself, is almost impossible. Each step the Ego protects the self at all cost, even at the cost of the
The psychodynamics theory which was introduced by Freud to understand the human mind and psyche, reached a new level in the continuous analysis from therapists. Psychodynamics originally has been explained as a study of various psychological forces that affect human behavior which is related to early experiences. It specifically discusses the connection between the conscious and subconscious motivations. The theory was further analyzed and developed by Melanie Klein, Carl Jung and Alfred Adler. Based on the theory, the psychodynamic therapy evolved to help patients through psychoanalysis. With time other therapies like individual, group and family therapy evolved to offer treatment by understanding the present day complexities in more detail. The main aim of the therapy is self –awareness through identifying the various influences of many past events in life. The therapies are continuously evolving since it was introduced by Freud to help in solving a variety of psychological disorders within people.
The theory our learning team is studying is the psychodynamic approach or what is sometimes called psychoanalytic approach. The main contributors to Psychodynamic approaches was the founder Sigmund Freud (1859-1939), Anna Freud (1895-1982) gave significant contribution to the psychodynamics of adolescence and Erik Erickson (1902-1994) called the “new” Freud but with an emphasis on ego (conscious) forces, termed as psychosocial theory (Craig & Dunn, p 11-13). Psychodynamics is the explanation or interpretation (as of behavior or mental states) in terms of mental or emotional forces or processes (www.merriam-webster.com)
Sigmund Freud was born in the Czech Republic on 6 may 1856, was a neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis. He had a personal interest in hysteria a condition were psychical symptoms occurred without any obvious psychical causes. Sigmund Freud's theories were based upon ideas that he collected through out his working life from various case studies. Although other people had their theories about various ailments and conditions, it was Sigmund Freud who was the first person to actually document his work. Freud believed that people were controlled by two drives: the Eros the life drive, which was referred to as the sexual instinct and the death drive (Thanatos). “However, his ideas have become interwoven into the fabric of our culture, with terms such as "Freudian slip," "repression" and "denial" appearing regularly in everyday language” (http://psychology.about.com). His work is still revered, taught and criticised today over one hundred years later.
The psychodynamic approach lends itself to being a controversial yet highly influential theory in the history of psychology. The theory has become one of the most significant psychological approaches and its originator, Sigmund Freud, has become a major influence in modern psychology. The psychodynamic approach largely focuses on motivation and past experiences which develop and individual’s personality. Freud used the iceberg metaphor to outline the three states of consciousness and argued that only twenty percent of the mind represents the conscious. In addition he theorised that there was a pre-conscious mind which represents general memory. Finally, the unconscious mind which is essentially the reservoir of repressed or hidden experiences and desire.
In this assignment I am going to introduce and unpack cognitive behavioural theory and psychodynamic theory. This will include the history of each theory and the theorists that discovered and developed both. I am going to link each theory to where they fit in Payne’s Triangle of Social Work as well as compare and contrast each theory. Both Cognitive behavioural theory and psychodynamic theory both support the purposes of social work in which I will cover beneath. This assignment will also include criticisms of both theories as well.
By its nature, psychodynamic approach recognises that experiences in childhood have an influence throughout our lives without the person being aware of it. It provides an important framework for judging one 's personality and behaviour. For example, the reason for a person committing a murder may be the fact that his violent father has always physically-punished him since childhood. Though, behavioural approach argues most of the human behaviour is mechanical, and one 's personality is simply the product of stimuli and responses. Therefore, the psychodynamic approach acknowledges everyone can suffer mental illnesses and conflicts without their
This theory is a social construction, just as all theories are, of Freud’s own experience. It is important to understand this, and to take the good with the bad. Analysis of the Psychodynamic Theory The main issue with the psychodynamic theory is that it is based on very subjective and quantitative aspects. The internalization of the human mind is not something that can be easily or quantitatively studied.
ID, ego and superego. He said you were born with ID which was in your
The psychodynamic theory originated from Sigmund Freud, a medical doctor and philosopher (1856 - 1939) founded in the 1900s. Freud developed his ideas whilst working as a psychiatrist in Vienna, collecting information from his patients such as feelings, thoughts and early childhood experiences.
Psychoanalysis is a set of psychological and psychotherapeutic theories based on the work of Sigmund Freud. Freud is also known as the father of psychology. He was an expert in neurology, study of nervous system, neurons, etc. The present context of the class which is the study of the brain is greatly related to Freud’s theories and ideas.
A theory is a set of statements that describes, explains and predicts human behavior. Development of behavior starts during the prenatal stage up to late adulthood. Three theories that help describe behavior are the perspective of Freud, Erikson and Paget’s. All three theories have several similarities as well as differences. By comparing I hope to gain a better understanding of all three theories.
The psychodynamic theory encompasses both Freud and Erikson. Freud believed the three components of personality were the id, the ego, and the superego. The id is responsible for all needs and urges, while the superego for ideals and moral. The ego moderates between the demands of the id, the superego, and reality. However, Erikson believed that personality progressed through a series of stages, with certain conflicts arising at each stage. Success in any stage depended upon successfully overcoming these conflicts. The advantage to psychodynamic is that it encompasses the individual, meaning that the theory looks at personality from childhood all the way into adulthood. The disadvantages of this theory are that it cannot be tested validly. Therefore,
drives. The drives create psychic energy that builds up and create tension and anxiety if it cannot be released. Another assumption is development where personality is shaped by relationships, experiences and conflict, particularly during childhood. Freud’s psychoanalysis is probably the most important psychodynamic theory. His ideas developed a... ...
New Wave Psychology is a branch of Psychology that formed out of the urge for many to break from the strictly sexual side of the Psychoanalytic approach according to Freud. Also known as the Psychodynamic approach, this view placed more importance on the conscious mind as opposed to the subconscious thoughts that Freud was interested in studying. The Psychodynamic approach focused more on interpersonal relationships, and how they can shape a person’s psychological development. Some of the concepts that came out of this view were the Psychosocial of development, the Neurotic Coping Strategies, and Self-perception theory according to Harry Stack Sullivan. Where Sigmund Freud focused on how a child’s mental development is formed from the Psychosexual stages, (where the sensational fixations of one’s childhood can affect the habitual fixations later
Personality is an individual’s characteristic pattern of feeling, thinking and acting. Psychodynamic theories of personality view human behavior as a dynamic interaction between the conscious mind and unconscious mind, including associated motives and conflicts (Myers & Dewall, pg# 572, 2015). These theories focus on the unconscious and the importance of childhood experiences. Psychodynamic theories are descended from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis, which is his ideology of personality and the associated treatment techniques. Psychoanalysis attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts. This theory also includes the techniques used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expose and interpret unconscious tensions. He proposed that childhood sexuality and unconscious motivations influence personality. Freud’s historically significant psychoanalytic theory became part of the human cultural legacy.