Model Answers- The Psychodynamic Approach
Describe psychosexual stages as outlined in the psychodynamic approach. (6 marks)
Model Answer
The psychodynamic approach, spearheaded by Sigmund Freud, introduces a developmental framework known as psychosexual stages, encompassing five distinct phases. In the oral stage (0–1 year), the mouth becomes the primary source of pleasure, with breastfeeding establishing the foundation for later development. Progressing to the anal stage (1–3 years), pleasure centres on the anus, and toilet training becomes a crucial aspect, marking the child's early encounters with societal expectations.
As the child transitions to the phallic stage (3–5 years), the Oedipus or Electra complex emerge. Successful resolution of these conflicts is paramount for progression. The latency stage (6–12 years) follows, during which conflicts from earlier stages are largely resolved or repressed, and the child's focus shifts away from intense psychosexual developments.
The genital stage (12 years/puberty-adulthood) marks the onset of conscious sexual desires directed towards others in a mature manner.
Which of the following shows the correct order of the psychosexual stages of development as proposed by the psychodynamic approach?
Shade one circle only.
Model Answer
C
Describe the role of defence mechanisms according to the psychodynamic approach. ( 2 marks)
Model Answer
In the psychodynamic approach, defence mechanisms play a crucial role in assisting the ego in managing the conflict between the id and the superego. They serve as unconscious, compromise solutions to deal with conflicts that may be irresolvable. Additionally, defence mechanisms act as strategies to reduce anxiety, which can otherwise weaken the ego's influence. Examples such as denial, displacement, and repression illustrate how these mechanisms operate in shielding the individual from distressing thoughts and emotions.
Briefly explain one strength and one limitation of the psychodynamic approach. ( 4 marks)
Model Answer
One strength of the psychodynamic approach lies in its contribution to psychotherapy as a treatment for mental health issues. Freud's development of psychoanalysis paved the way for therapeutic practices that delve into the unconscious, employing techniques like free association and dream analysis. This approach has been influential in providing individuals with a means to explore and address underlying psychological conflicts, contributing to positive therapeutic outcomes.
However, a notable limitation of the psychodynamic approach is its lack of empirical evidence and the subjective nature of its interpretations. The emphasis on unconscious processes and internal conflicts can make it challenging to validate and measure concepts, leading some critics to question the scientific rigor of the approach. While it offers valuable insights into the richness of the individual's internal life, the psychodynamic approach faces challenges in meeting the empirical standards of contemporary psychology.
Briefly describe one role of the unconscious according to the psychodynamic approach. ( 2 marks)
Model Answer
According to the psychodynamic approach, one role of the unconscious is to house traumatic memories that have been repressed. These repressed memories are posited to exert influence on our behaviour, operating beneath conscious awareness.
Jed was given a detention meaning that he would miss the football match after school. Jed felt extremely angry. Later that day, Jed was called in to the Head of Year ’s office for kicking his locker at break time.
Identify and explain the defence mechanism Jed was displaying. ( 3 marks)
Model Answer
Jed was displaying the defence mechanism of displacement. This occurs when a strong emotion, in this case, anger at receiving a detention and missing a football match, is redirected towards a neutral or alternative person or object, such as kicking his locker. The act of kicking the locker becomes a symbolic expression of Jed's anger, allowing him to release and displace his emotions onto a safer target. In this context, the displacement mechanism serves as a way for Jed to externalise his frustration and redirect it away from the source of the initial conflict (the detention) to a more manageable outlet (the locker).
Describe the structure of the personality according to the psychodynamic approach.( 4 marks)
Model Answer
The psychodynamic approach conceptualises personality as comprising three interconnected components: the id, ego, and superego. The id, formed from birth to 18 months, operates in the unconscious mind and is characterised by self-focused, emotional, and selfish impulses. The ego, developed between 18 months and 3 years, acts as a rational mediator, balancing the conflicting demands of the id and superego, and operates consciously. The superego, formed between 3 and 6 years, functions as a moral guide based on societal values, operating both consciously and unconsciously. This dynamic structure is shaped by childhood experiences, influencing individual behaviour and contributing to the complexity of human personality in the psychodynamic approach.
Which one of the following statements is false? Shade one box only.( 1 mark)
Model Answer
C
Which one of the following statements is false? Shade one box only. ( 1 mark)
Model Answer
C
Outline the psychodynamic approach in psychology. Discuss one or more differences between the psychodynamic approach and the humanistic approach. (Total 8 marks)
Model Answer
The psychodynamic approach in psychology is characterized by several key concepts. First, it introduces the concept of the unconscious, emphasizing the role of unconscious processes in influencing human behavior. The tripartite structure of the personality is a central tenet, comprising the id, ego, and superego. The id operates on the pleasure principle, the ego balances the conflicting demands of the id and superego, and the superego serves as the moral guide based on societal values.
Additionally, Freud's psychosexual stages of development, including oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages, outline the progression of personality development from infancy to adulthood. Psychic determinism, a fundamental aspect of Freudian theory, posits that unconscious forces drive behavior, contrasting with the humanistic approach, which emphasizes free will and rational choice.
A significant distinction between the psychodynamic and humanistic approaches revolves around their perspectives on determinism and agency in psychology. Determinism refers to the idea that certain factors or forces, often unconscious, dictate human behaviour. In contrast, agency underscores the notion of individual free will and the capacity for making independent choices. In the psychodynamic approach, the belief in determinism suggests that unconscious forces play a decisive role in shaping behaviour. On the other hand, the humanistic approach, championed by psychologists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, celebrates agency and free will, emphasizing the significance of conscious choices and rational decision-making in influencing human behaviour. This inherent distinction in outlook regarding determinism and free will serves as a fundamental hallmark, setting apart the psychodynamic and humanistic approaches within the realm of psychology.
Tim used to run a family business. About two years ago, the business got into financial difficulties. Tim’s bank demanded repayment of a loan. Tim lost the business and is very angry.
Two defence mechanisms are denial and displacement.
Outline what is meant by denial and displacement and suggest how each could be involved in Tim coping with his situation. ( 4 marks)
Model Answer
Denial, as a defence mechanism, involves refusing to acknowledge reality. In Tim's case, he might be in denial by persistently spending his days in his former office, refusing to accept that the family business has been lost. Displacement, on the other hand, entails redirecting emotions onto a substitute object. Tim may be displacing his anger from the financial difficulties onto the bank by engaging in arguments with his family, serving as a substitute outlet for his emotional distress. These defence mechanisms, denial and displacement, illustrate ways in which Tim might be unconsciously coping with the challenges and emotional turmoil resulting from the loss of his family business.
Briefly evaluate defence mechanisms as a way of explaining human behaviour and experience. ( 4 marks)
Model Answer
One limitation of the psychodynamic approach is the lack of testability and falsifiability, as defence mechanisms, being unconscious processes, cannot be studied directly. This means that empirical testing becomes challenging, given the inability to observe or measure these unconscious processes directly. For example, concepts like defence mechanisms, operating beneath conscious awareness, lack concrete, observable evidence, making it difficult to subject them to rigorous scientific scrutiny. Therefore, the challenge in establishing testable hypotheses and empirical evidence compromises the reliability and trustworthiness of the psychodynamic approach as it relies on concepts that are inherently difficult to validate through direct observation or measurement.
A psychodynamic psychologist wished to investigate the function of dreams. He asked five friends to keep a ‘dream diary’ for a week by writing a descriptive account of their dreams as soon as they woke up in the morning. He interpreted the content of their dreams as an expression of their repressed wishes.
Referring to the study above, explain why psychodynamic psychologists have often been criticised for neglecting the rules of the scientific approach. ( 3 marks)
Model Answer
Psychodynamic psychologists have often been criticised for neglecting the rules of the scientific approach, as demonstrated in the study involving dream diaries. The interpretation of dream content as an expression of repressed wishes introduces an element of bias and subjectivity. The reliance on personal interpretation raises concerns about the scientific rigor and objectivity of the study, as the conclusions drawn from the dream diaries are susceptible to the psychologist's individual perspectives and preconceptions.
Marc is often frustrated and angry, but most of the time he keeps his feelings under control. One day, during a meeting at work, Marc stormed out of the room and kicked the drinks machine so hard that the glass screen broke.
(a) Suggest how a psychodynamic psychologist might explain Marc’s behaviour.(2 marks)
Model Answer
A psychodynamic psychologist might explain Marc's sudden outburst by suggesting the use of defence mechanisms to cope with underlying anxieties. Marc's usual ability to keep his feelings under control may have reached a breaking point, leading to the manifestation of repressed emotions through an aggressive and impulsive act, such as kicking the drinks machine. This behaviour could be seen as a form of displacement or another defence mechanism employed by Marc to manage his frustrations and anger.
Outline a psychodynamic explanation for the development of the superego.( 3 marks)
Model Answer
The development of the superego in a psychodynamic framework occurs during the Phallic stage of psychosexual development. It arises through the process of identification with the same-sex parent, as the child internalises their moral standards and values. This internalisation forms the foundation of the superego, shaping an individual's conscience and moral guide based on societal and parental influences.
Explain how the superego might affect moral behaviour in the following situation:
Jackie sees a T-shirt that she really likes in a store. She is aware that there are no security cameras nearby and thinks how easy it would be to slip the T-shirt into her bag. ( 2 marks)
Model Answer
In this situation, the superego might affect Jackie's moral behaviour by introducing an unconscious conflict between her id impulses and the demanding, threatening nature of the superego. While Jackie desires the T-shirt, the superego imposes a sense of guilt and moral responsibility, preventing her from stealing it and even prompting her to consider paying for it at the till as an alternative. The superego's influence highlights the internal conflict between impulsive desires and moral standards, guiding Jackie towards a more conscientious decision.
Emily very much wanted to pass her ballet examination, but after she failed the examination she did not seem upset.
Suggest one defence mechanism and use your knowledge of this defence mechanism to explain why Emily was not upset after failing her ballet examination. ( 2 marks)
Model Answer
One possible defence mechanism at play in Emily's response to failing her ballet examination could be repression. Emily may be unconsciously pushing away or blocking the distressing emotions associated with the failure, enabling her to avoid immediate feelings of upset or disappointment. Repression serves as a protective mechanism by keeping the distressing thoughts and emotions out of conscious awareness, allowing Emily to cope with the situation without experiencing the full emotional impact of the failure.
Outline one limitation of the psychodynamic approach. ( 2 marks)
Model Answer
One limitation of the psychodynamic approach is the lack of scientific rigour. Critics argue that concepts within this approach, such as unconscious processes and defence mechanisms, are difficult to empirically test and measure, limiting the ability to establish the approach on a solid scientific foundation.
