Psychodynamic Theory
Psychodynamic Theory
Psychodynamic Theory
Evaluating Psychoanalysis

Poor testability


Inadequate evidence


Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic theories are hard to test, as they
relies mainly on non-empirical evidence, meaning that results will
always differ from person to person.
Relating to poor testability, there is not enough empirical
evidence to support the theories.
Sexism

Gender favoritism/discrimination might have tainted the few
case studies that have been conducted, causing the little
evidence that there is to be even more unreliable.
Karen Horney

German psychoanalyst and psychiatrist

believed that personality is formed from
childhood social tensions and culture

criticized Freud’s “penis envy” theory

proposed that “womb envy”, in which men are
envious of a women’s ability to birth children,
occurs too

viewed neurosis as a way to make life bearable

wrote “self-help” books
Theory of Neurosis


caused by parental indifference: lack of warmth and affection as a
child
10 neurotic needs



affection and approval, a partner, power, exploit others, social
recognition, personal admiration, personal achievement, selfsufficiency, perfection, and restrict life practices
person will experience great anxiety if neurotic needs aren’t met
3 coping strategies

compliance (moving-toward solution)

aggression (moving-against solution)

withdrawal (moving-away-from solution)
Theory of Neurosis





basic hostility: children’s anger response towards parental
indifference
basic anxiety: children’s fear of hopelessness and abandonment due to
parental indifference
compliance from basic anxiety: children thinks "If I can make you love
me, you will not hurt me."
aggression from basic hostility: children thinks "If I have power, no
one can hurt me."
withdrawal: children thinks "If I withdraw, nothing can hurt me."
Self Image

neurotic has a split self-image: despised “real” self and ideal self

with minor neurotic needs, people can be their own psychiatrist!
Alfred Adler
Austrian Medical Doctor and
Psychologist
 Postulated a single "drive" or
motivating force behind all our
behavior and experience

 “Strive to Perfection”
Individual Psychology

Each person is unique and no prior theory is
applied to all people.
 Four Aspects:
○ Development of Personality
○ Striving Towards Superiority
○ Psychological Health
○ Unity of Personality
Inferiority Complex

Feelings of lack of worth or feeling inferior
to others.
 Superiority Complex- Created when there is a
suppression of the feelings of being inferior.
Creative Self
Adler claims that every person had an idea
about what their perfect self would be.
 Accompanied by Fictional Finalism

 Fictional finalism applies clearer direction to
decisions that are made concerning oneself
Social Interest
An interest in furthering the welfare of others.
 Second in importance to striving towards
perfection.
 1 of 4 different classes of basic lifestyles

Ruling Type
 Getting Type
 Avoiding Type
 Socially Useful Type

Carl Jung

Was a colleague of
Freud’s. However, he
didn’t fully agree with
Freud’s theory.
 For example, when it
came to the study of
dreams, Jung disagreed
with Freud’s theory.
Jung believed that
dreams were a way to
help us grow. He felt
that dreams were more
about life rather than
sexual desires.
Jung’s theory

Divided the psyche into 3 parts:
 Ego
 Personal unconscious
○ Made up of the things you’ve experienced
everyday of your life. Stores both memories
that are easily accessible and memories that
have been suppressed for some reason.
 Collective unconscious
Collective Unconscious

Stores our species experiences
 Knowledge that we are all born with
 We can never be directly conscious of it
Influences our experiences and behaviors,
especially emotional ones
 An example of collective unconscious:

 Near death experiences
Jung’s Archetypes

Archetypes –
Universal models of
people, behavior, or
personalities
originating from the
collective
unconscious.

Recognizing and
accepting these
archetypes in yourself
leads to a more
wholesome individual.
Main Archetypes

The Shadow – Our
unconscious, dark,
repressed thoughts and
instincts. Also known as
our “natural side.”

Example: Mr. Hyde is
the shadow of Dr. Jekyll

The Shadow may
appear in our dreams
as a person that is
everything we do not
want ourselves to be.
Main Archetypes
The Anima – The unconscious inner
feminine component of a male.
 The Animus – The unconscious inner
male component of a female.
 These images are formed through
contacts a person makes with the
opposite gender. (mother/father,
romantic interests)

Persona



Comes from the
Latin word meaning
“mask”
Represents your
public image
It’s the way we
present ourselves to
the world
• Sometimes, we can
mistake our persona for
our true nature. So
basically, we believe we
are what we pretend to
be.
Introversion and Extroversion
Extrovert– Sociable, optimistic, enjoy large
gatherings. As children, they enjoy new
experiences and develop more quickly.
 Introvert– Feel more comfortable in small
groups, prefer reflection to activity, and are
generally more pessimistic. Introverted
children are shy and cautious.
 People of either type tend to see only the
negative side of the other.

RORSCHACH TEST
*):(*
}*{
^}|{^
"+:{}:+“
>=+=<
/-$-\
*]_\./_[*
/|<\/>|\
=^)(^=
^'!*}{*!'^
Exner’s Comprehensive System
“The interpretation of a Rorschach record is a complex process. It requires a wealth of
knowledge concerning personality dynamics generally as well as considerable experience with
the Rorschach method specifically. Proficiency as a Rorschach administrator can be gained
within a few months. However, even those who are able and qualified to become Rorschach
interpreters usually remain in a ‘learning stage’ for a number of years.”
Klopfer &
Davidson, 1962
THEMATIC APPERCEPTION TEST
“First, there was a man working
in a white coat. A scientist.
Then a lady entered the room
and said, “Oh, I want to be a
scientist. Can I be a scientist?”
The man allowed her to be a
scientist, and she started to mix
chemicals and bug spray. The
man stood at the side, looking
angry and resentful. The lady
asked, “Am I doing a good
job?” Later, the entire building
exploded…”
Anonymous (age 10), c. 2000
Bibliography





Boeree, C.G. (1997). Karen horney. Retrieved from
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/horney.html
Langenderfer, G. (1999, May). Karen horney. Retrieved from
http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/horney.htm
Myers, D. G. (2007). Psychology: Eighth edition. New York, NY: Worth Publishing.
Psychodynamic Theory, Freud's psychodynamic theory, definition, personality
psychodynamic theory. (2005) Retrieved January 14, 2009, from depression-guide.com:
http://www.depression-guide.com/psychodynamic-theory.htm
Sigmund Freud and Sex and Aggression. (2006) Retrieved January 14, 2009, from
scumdoctor.com: http://www.scumdoctor.com/psychology/sigmund-freud/SigmundFreud-And-Sex-And-Aggression.html

Boeree, Dr. C. George. 1997. Carl Jung.
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/jung.html

Barrows, Andrew. 2009. Carl Jung.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/fghij/jung_carl.html
Pettifor, Eric. Major Archetypes and the Process of Individuation.
http://pandc.ca/?cat=carl_jung&page=major_archetypes_and_individuation
Fordham, F. (2007). Introduction to Jung's Psychology. Retrieved from
http://www.cgjungpage.org


