AQA A-LEVEL: Approaches - The Psychodynamic Approach
THE PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH ASSUMPTION- Behaviour is motivated by unconscious motives + events that occurred in childhood. THE ROLE OF THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND CONSCIOUS - Thoughts the mind is aware of (perceptions + everyday thoughts) TOP PRECONSCIOUS - Just beneath the surface, (memories + stored knowledge) which can be accessed UNCONSCIOUS - Info which is hard to retrieve, the biggest part of our mind (fears, traumatic experiences, instincts). The unconscious directs and motivates behaviour without conscious awareness. It also protects us from the traumatic material which could damage the psyche if it was recalled into the conscious. THE STRUCTURE OF PERSONALITY ID - Unconscious mind (motivated by the pleasure principle) has the immediate desire for satisfaction. Present from birth, e.g. 'a baby wanting milk' EGO - Rational mind (motivated by the reality principle), works to balance the demands of the ID and anxieties of the Superego...