The Psychodynamic Perspective

Origins and Key Concepts

Psychodynamic perspective was established by Sigmund Freud and popularised by his accolades.
Focuses on understanding human behaviour, thoughts and emotions by examining unconscious drives and conflicts.
Argues that a person’s behaviour and feelings as adults, including psychological problems, are rooted in their childhood experiences.

Key theories

Psychosexual stages: Freud argued that personality develops through a series of childhood stages during which the pleasure-seeking energies of the id focus on different erogenous areas.
Defense mechanisms: The ego uses tactics to deal with stress and anxiety from the conflicts between the id, ego, and superego. Examples include denial, repression and displacement.

Criticisms and Controversies

Owing to its heavy reliance on the concept of the unconscious, the psychodynamic perspective is often criticised for being non-scientific as many of its theories cannot be empirically tested or falsified.
Some argue that it places too much emphasis on early experiences, overlooking the influence of ongoing experiences throughout the lifespan.
Has been criticised for being gender-biassed especially with the phallocentric nature of the psychosexual stages.

Contributions and Case Studies

Case study of Little Hans: Used to explain the notion of the Oedipus complex. The five-year-old boy developed a fear of horses, which Freud interpreted as a displaced fear of his father.
The psychodynamic perspective has had extensive influence on psychology, and many of its theories have become deeply ingrained in Western thought.
It has laid the groundwork for many forms of therapeutic practises such as psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, and talk therapy.

Sample Question:

Evaluate the psychodynamic perspective in psychology, including its strengths, considerations, and criticisms. Make sure to include key concepts, theories, and influential figures related to this perspective.