Assumptions
Flashcard 1:
Q: What is the main assumption of the psychodynamic approach?
A: The main assumption is that our behaviors and feelings are influenced by unconscious motives and conflicts.
Flashcard 2:
Q: What are the three parts of the tripartite personality according to Freud?
A: The Id, Ego, and Superego.
Flashcard 3:
Q: Describe the Id.
A: The Id represents our wants and desires, exists entirely in the subconscious mind, and operates on the pleasure
principle. It is present from birth.
Flashcard 4:
Q: What is the role of the Ego?
A: The Ego, known as the reality principle, develops around age 2 and mediates between the unrealistic demands of
the Id and the external world, finding socially acceptable ways to satisfy the Id’s desires.
Flashcard 5:
Q: What does the Superego represent?
A: The Superego represents the morality principle, encompassing our sense of right and wrong. It develops around
age 4 and internalizes societal and parental standards.
Flashcard 6:
Q: Give an example of a case study used in the psychodynamic approach.
A: Little Hans, a boy whose phobia of horses was related to his progress through the Oedipus complex and the
emergence of his Superego.
Flashcard 7:
Q: What is the Oedipus complex?
A: A concept in Freud’s theory where a boy experiences unconscious sexual desires for his mother and jealousy
towards his father, leading to feelings of guilt and the development of the Superego.
Flashcard 8:
Q: How does the psychodynamic approach explain mental disorders?
A: It suggests that mental disorders are the result of unresolved unconscious conflicts, often stemming from
childhood experiences.
Flashcard 9:
Q: What is the role of defense mechanisms in the psychodynamic approach?
A: Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used by the Ego to manage anxiety and conflict between the Id
and Superego.
Flashcard 10:
Q: Name two defense mechanisms described by Freud.
A: Repression and denial.
Evidence
Flashcard 1:
Q: What was the main aim of Bowlby’s 1944 study on 44 juvenile thieves?
A: The main aim was to investigate the long-term effects of maternal deprivation on emotional development and to
see if there was a link between early separation from mothers and later criminal behavior.
Flashcard 2:
Q: How many participants were in Bowlby’s study, and how were they divided?
A: There were 88 participants in total: 44 juvenile thieves and a control group of 44 children with emotional problems
but no criminal behavior.
Flashcard 3:
Q: What method did Bowlby use to collect data in his 1944 study?
A: Bowlby used case studies, including interviews with the children and their families, to gather detailed information
about their early life experiences and emotional development.
Flashcard 4:
Q: What key finding did Bowlby report regarding the ‘affectionless character’?
A: Bowlby found that 14 of the 44 thieves were classified as ‘affectionless psychopaths,’ showing a lack of affection,
shame, or sense of responsibility. 12 of these 14 had experienced prolonged separation from their mothers during the
first two years of life.
Flashcard 5:
Q: What conclusion did Bowlby draw from his study on juvenile thieves?
A: Bowlby concluded that early maternal deprivation could lead to affectionless psychopathy and increased risk of
criminal behavior, highlighting the importance of a continuous relationship with a primary caregiver during early
childhood.
Flashcard 6:
Q: What was the control group used for in Bowlby’s study?
A: The control group consisted of 44 children who had emotional problems but had not engaged in criminal behavior.
This group was used to compare the effects of maternal deprivation with those seen in juvenile thieves.
Flashcard 7:
Q: How did Bowlby’s findings influence later research and theory?
A: Bowlby’s findings contributed to the development of his attachment theory, emphasizing the critical role of early
relationships in emotional and social development.
Therapies
Flashcard 1:
Q: What is the primary aim of dream analysis in psychodynamic therapy?
A: The primary aim is to make the unconscious conscious, helping individuals become aware of unconscious
influences on their behavior.
Flashcard 2:
Q: What is ‘via regia’ in the context of dream analysis?
A: ‘Via regia’ means ‘the royal road,’ referring to Freud’s belief that dreams are the royal road to the unconscious
mind.
Flashcard 3:
Q: What are the two types of content in dreams according to Freud?
A: The two types of content are manifest content (the actual storyline of the dream) and latent content (the hidden,
symbolic meaning).
Flashcard 4:
Q: What is the process of dreamwork in dream analysis?
A: Dreamwork involves transforming the latent content of a dream into the manifest content through processes like
condensation, displacement, representation, symbolism, and secondary elaboration.
Flashcard 5:
Q: Describe the process of condensation in dreamwork.
A: Condensation is when multiple elements of the latent content are combined into a single image or idea in the
manifest content.
Flashcard 6:
Q: What is displacement in the context of dream analysis?
A: Displacement involves shifting the emotional significance from an important element of the latent content to a
seemingly insignificant element in the manifest content.
Flashcard 7:
Q: How does symbolism function in dream analysis?
A: Symbolism involves replacing significant features of the dream with symbols, such as a sword representing a
penis.
Flashcard 8:
Q: What is secondary elaboration in dreamwork?
A: Secondary elaboration is the process by which the unconscious mind organizes the dream into a coherent story,
further disguising the latent content.
Flashcard 9:
Q: What role does the therapist play in dream analysis?
A: The therapist helps decode the manifest content back into the latent content, offering multiple interpretations and
considering the context of the client’s life.
Flashcard 10:
Q: How does dream analysis link to the tripartite personality?
A: During dreams, the ego is suppressed, allowing the id to express unconscious desires and motives that would be
unacceptable in waking life.
Analysis of Dream Therapy
Flashcard 1:
Q: What does the ‘E’ in ESCAPE stand for in the context of dream therapy?
A: Effectiveness. Dream therapy has been found effective in treating mental disorders such as depression and
anxiety, with studies showing significant improvements in clients.
Flashcard 2:
Q: How is dream therapy effective?
A: Dream therapy helps uncover unconscious conflicts and repressed memories, providing insights that can lead to
emotional healing and improved mental health.
Flashcard 3:
Q: What does the ‘S’ in ESCAPE stand for in the context of dream therapy?
A: Side effects. Dream therapy may have side effects such as emotional distress when confronting repressed
memories or unresolved conflicts.
Flashcard 4:
Q: What are some potential side effects of dream therapy?
A: Clients may experience increased anxiety, emotional distress, or discomfort as they explore and confront
unconscious material.
Flashcard 5:
Q: What does the ‘C’ in ESCAPE stand for in the context of dream therapy?
A: Cost. Dream therapy can be costly due to the need for multiple sessions with a trained therapist.
Flashcard 6:
Q: Why can dream therapy be expensive?
A: It often requires numerous sessions with a qualified therapist to effectively explore and interpret dreams, leading to
higher overall costs.
Flashcard 7:
Q: What does the ‘A’ in ESCAPE stand for in the context of dream therapy?
A: Accessibility. Dream therapy may not be accessible to everyone due to factors like cost, availability of trained
therapists, and cultural acceptance.
Flashcard 8:
Q: What factors affect the accessibility of dream therapy?
A: High costs, limited availability of trained therapists, and varying cultural attitudes towards psychotherapy can limit
accessibility.
Flashcard 9:
Q: What does the ‘P’ in ESCAPE stand for in the context of dream therapy?
A: Practicality. Dream therapy can be practical for those who are open to exploring their unconscious mind and have
the time and resources for regular sessions.
Flashcard 10:
Q: How practical is dream therapy for clients?
A: It is practical for clients who are willing to engage in deep self-exploration and can commit to regular therapy
sessions.
Flashcard 11:
Q: What does the ‘E’ in ESCAPE stand for in the context of dream therapy?
A: Ethics. Ethical considerations in dream therapy include maintaining confidentiality, obtaining informed consent,
and ensuring the client’s well-being.
Flashcard 12:
Q: What are some ethical considerations in dream therapy?
A: Therapists must maintain confidentiality, obtain informed consent, and prioritize the client’s emotional and
psychological well-being throughout the therapy process.
Evaluation
Flashcard 1:
Q: What does the ‘D’ in DRAIN stand for in the context of the psychodynamic approach?
A: Deterministic. The psychodynamic approach suggests that behavior is influenced by unconscious forces and
childhood experiences, meaning individuals have little free will over their actions.
Flashcard 2:
Q: How is the psychodynamic approach deterministic?
A: It suggests that behavior is driven by internal conflicts and past events, with unconscious forces and childhood
experiences playing a significant role.
Flashcard 3:
Q: What does the ‘R’ in DRAIN stand for in the context of the psychodynamic approach?
A: Reductionist. The approach explains complex human behaviors in terms of basic components like the id, ego, and
superego, and psychosexual stages.
Flashcard 4:
Q: Why is the psychodynamic approach considered reductionist?
A: It often overlooks other factors such as genetics and social influences, focusing instead on basic components like
the id, ego, and superego.
Flashcard 5:
Q: What does the ‘A’ in DRAIN stand for in the context of the psychodynamic approach?
A: Applied. The approach has practical applications, particularly in therapy, using techniques like dream analysis,
free association, and transference.
Flashcard 6:
Q: How is the psychodynamic approach applied in therapy?
A: Techniques like dream analysis, free association, and transference are used to uncover unconscious conflicts and
treat psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Flashcard 7:
Q: What does the ‘I’ in DRAIN stand for in the context of the psychodynamic approach?
A: Idiographic. The approach focuses on the unique experiences of individuals, using case studies to understand
personal histories and unconscious motivations.
Flashcard 8:
Q: How is the psychodynamic approach idiographic?
A: It uses case studies, such as those of Little Hans and Anna O, to understand the unique experiences and
unconscious motivations of individuals.
Flashcard 9:
Q: What does the ‘N’ in DRAIN stand for in the context of the psychodynamic approach?
A: Nomothetic. The approach also proposes universal principles of development, such as Freud’s psychosexual
stages, that apply to all individuals.
Flashcard 10:
Q: How does the psychodynamic approach have nomothetic elements?
A: Freud’s theories, such as the psychosexual stages, propose universal principles of development that apply to all
individuals.