• 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 www.psychlotron.org.uk The Psychodynamic Model 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 www.psychlotron.org.uk The Unconscious Mind www.psychlotron.org.uk The Psyche Id: Ego: Superego: Instincts Reality Morality OK Guys – I’m in charge. Anything you want has to go through me. OK. OK. Ego Id Superego www.psychlotron.org.uk Healthy Psyche www.psychlotron.org.uk 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 Sex! Food! Drink! Drugs! NOW! Who turned out the lights? Id Ego Superego www.psychlotron.org.uk Psychotic 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. www.psychlotron.org.uk Psychopathic Psyche • 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 www.psychlotron.org.uk Defence Mechanisms • Psychological disorders are defence mechanisms against repressed emotional problems and impulses • The symptoms of a disorder have a hidden meaning that can be decoded www.psychlotron.org.uk 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 www.psychlotron.org.uk Psychological Disorders