AQA A-Level Psychology -
Psychodynamic approach
What is the psychodynamic approach? - correct answer-The psychodynamic approach was
put forward by Sigmund Freud. It describes various forces, mostly unconscious, that operate
on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience
What are 4 assumptions of the psychodynamic approach? - correct answer-1. The
unconscious mind influences behaviour
2. Personality (psyche) has a discernible structure (ID, Ego and Superego)
3.It is constructed by the passage through psychosexual stages of development throughout
infancy and adolescence
4. The unconscious conflicts in the psyche are meditated by processes called defence
mechanisms
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Role of unconscious 1) - correct answer-- There are vast
parts of the mind that are inaccessible to conscious awareness
- Iceberg model
- A vast storehouse of biological drives and instincts all of which have a significant influence
on our thoughts, behaviours and personality
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Role of unconscious 2) - correct answer--The unconscious
mind contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed or locked
away and forgotten this includes traumatic events in childhood. These are never truly
forgotten and are explored through 'Freudian slips'
-The preconscious is in between the two, memories are not conscious but are retrievable
(memories /stored knowledge)
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Tripate theory of personality 1) - correct answer-Freud
describes an individual's personality as a tripartite made up of the ID, the ego and the
superego. All of which develop at different stages and have different roles
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Tripate theory of personality 2) - correct answer-The ID
operates according to the pleasure principle:
-Primitive part of our personality and is present from birth
-Unconscious biological drives and instincts and urges
-Demands instant gratification
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Tripate theory of personality 3) - correct answer--Develops
around the age of 2
-Balances impulsive demands of the ID and the reality of external world (known as the reality
principle)
-Reduces the conflict between the demands of the ID and the superego
-Uses defence mechanisms
Psychodynamic approach
What is the psychodynamic approach? - correct answer-The psychodynamic approach was
put forward by Sigmund Freud. It describes various forces, mostly unconscious, that operate
on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience
What are 4 assumptions of the psychodynamic approach? - correct answer-1. The
unconscious mind influences behaviour
2. Personality (psyche) has a discernible structure (ID, Ego and Superego)
3.It is constructed by the passage through psychosexual stages of development throughout
infancy and adolescence
4. The unconscious conflicts in the psyche are meditated by processes called defence
mechanisms
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Role of unconscious 1) - correct answer-- There are vast
parts of the mind that are inaccessible to conscious awareness
- Iceberg model
- A vast storehouse of biological drives and instincts all of which have a significant influence
on our thoughts, behaviours and personality
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Role of unconscious 2) - correct answer--The unconscious
mind contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed or locked
away and forgotten this includes traumatic events in childhood. These are never truly
forgotten and are explored through 'Freudian slips'
-The preconscious is in between the two, memories are not conscious but are retrievable
(memories /stored knowledge)
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Tripate theory of personality 1) - correct answer-Freud
describes an individual's personality as a tripartite made up of the ID, the ego and the
superego. All of which develop at different stages and have different roles
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Tripate theory of personality 2) - correct answer-The ID
operates according to the pleasure principle:
-Primitive part of our personality and is present from birth
-Unconscious biological drives and instincts and urges
-Demands instant gratification
Psychodynamic approach - A01 (Tripate theory of personality 3) - correct answer--Develops
around the age of 2
-Balances impulsive demands of the ID and the reality of external world (known as the reality
principle)
-Reduces the conflict between the demands of the ID and the superego
-Uses defence mechanisms
