Transcript Psychodynamic explanation of abnormality (Ao1)

The Psychological Models
of Abnormality
(there are three of these)
• Psychodynamic
• Behavioural
• Cognitive
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Approaches to
Psychopathology
Explaining Abnormality from
different Psychological Perspectives
We have looked at one BIOLOGICAL
approach to abnormality, and two
PSYCHOLOGICAL approaches (behaviourist
and cognitive). This is the 3rd
PSYCHOLOGICAL approach – the
Psychodynamic!
Basic Assumptions
The
Psychodynamic
approach
to
Abnormality…
1. ALL behaviour stems from …about
UNCONSCIOUS
Abnormality
forces
2. Our behaviour and feelings as adults are
rooted in childhood experiences
1.
disorders has
resulta from
psychological
3. Mental
ALL behaviour
cause,
and is rather than
physical
causes
therefore
determined
2. Unresolved conflicts in the ‘Psyche’ cause mental
disorders (a)
3. Unconscious motivations cause mental disorders (b)
4. Early experiences cause mental disorders (c)
The Psychodynamic Model
• Main assumptions:
• Psychological disorders are caused by emotional
problems in the unconscious mind
• The causes of these emotional problems can usually
be traced back to early childhood
• The relationship between child and parents is a
crucial determinant of mental health
Psychodynamic Approach
Main Assumptions:
• Assumption 1: Experiences in our earlier years can affect our
emotions, attitudes and behaviour in later years without us being
aware that it is happening. Freud suggested that abnormal
behaviour is caused by unresolved conflicts in the Unconscious.
These conflicts create anxiety, and we use defence mechanisms
such as repression and denial to protect our Ego against this
anxiety. However, if defence mechanisms are over-used, they can
lead to disturbed abnormal behaviour.
• Assumption 2: If repressed memories can be recovered from the
Unconscious through psychotherapy, and if the patient
experiences the emotional pain of these repressed memories, the
conflicts will be resolved and the patient will be cured (catharsis &
closure i.e. lancing the psychological boil) . Modern
psychoanalysis suggests patients must also come to understand
these memories cognitively.
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The Unconscious Mind
The conscious. The small
amount of mental activity we
know about.
Thoughts
Perceptions
The preconscious. Things
we could be aware of if we
wanted or tried.
The unconscious. Things
we are unaware of and can
not become aware of.
Memories
Stored knowledge
Bad
Worse
Really Bad
Fears
Unacceptable sexual desires
Violent motives
Irrational wishes
Immoral urges
Selfish needs
Shameful experiences
Traumatic experiences
Unconscious Mind
(b)
Freud suggests
that the
Unconscious mind
exerts a powerful
effect on
behaviour, and
that this often
leads to distress as
we might not
understand why
we are acting a
certain way. This
part of the mind is
where we find
memories, fears
and unacceptable
urges, needs and
motivations
The Psyche
Id:
Ego:
Superego:
Instincts
Reality
Morality
Healthy Psyche
OK Guys – I’m in charge.
Anything you want has to go
through me.
OK.
OK.
Ego
Id
Superego
Neurotic Psyche
Listen up! I’m in charge, and you are not
here to enjoy yourselves. Get ready for a
double-size portion of anxiety with a side
order of guilt!
No fun.
>whimper<
Superego
Id
Ego
Psychotic Psyche
Sex! Food! Drink! Drugs!
NOW!
Who
turned out
the lights?
Id
Ego
Superego
Psychopathic Psyche
OK. First, gimme food. Then I want sex –
lots of it and I don’t particularly care whether
it’s with a willing partner. Then I want to hurt
people. Badly. Probably be hungry again
after that so…
OK then.
Let’s go.
Personality Structures…
ID: irrational and primitive,
demands immediate
satisfaction and is ruled by
the PLEASURE PRINCIPLE.
EGO: conscious part of the
personality that is rational
and driven by the REALITY
PRINCIPLE
SUPEREGO: this is our
conscience and our sense
of right and wrong, it is
morally driven.
Personality Structures…
Explaining Abnormality…
Id: If it’s impulses
are not kept in check
bytypes
the ego and of
What
disorders
or
superego, they are expressed by destructiveness and
immorality.
abnormal
behaviour do
Ego: If the ego
is not fully developed,
or if it is weak
you
think
might
result
then another part of the psyche will take over.
from problems with the Id,
Superego: If this becomes too powerful it can be
Ego
andon theSuperego
too restrictive
Id and deprive it of acceptable
pleasures
Recap: Psychosexual Stages of
Development
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Defence Mechanisms
• Unacceptable (latent) motives are channeled
into more acceptable (manifest) thoughts and
actions
Aggression
Sport
Sexual desire for parent
Sexual desire for partner
Masturbation
Guitar playing
Playing with faeces
Pottery
Psychological Disorders
• Psychological disorders are defence
mechanisms against repressed emotional
problems and impulses
• The symptoms of a disorder have a hidden
meaning that can be decoded
Psychological Disorders
Depression
Aggression against the
parents turned back in on the
self
Anxiety
Fear of something (e.g. sex)
that is projected onto
something innocuous
Check your knowledge…
Which parts of the Psyche could Bart,
Lisa and their parents represent…and
why?
How can conflict between the 3 parts of
the Psyche lead to abnormal
behaviour?
If traumatic experiences occur in childhood,
and they are dealt with by ‘repression’,
where does Freud claim they go to, and
how do they express themselves?