Psychodynamic Theory PDF

Psychodynamic Theory Dr Greta Darmanin Kissaun Mary Rose Gatt  Introduction Difference between psychoanalytic theory and psychodynamic theory Psychoanayltic theory – Sigmund Freud - Early childhood experiences influence behaviour throughout all our li...

Psychodynamic Theory Dr Greta Darmanin Kissaun Mary Rose Gatt  Introduction Difference between psychoanalytic theory and psychodynamic theory Psychoanayltic theory – Sigmund Freud - Early childhood experiences influence behaviour throughout all our life. Psychodynamic theory –Focuses on resolving a patient’s conflicted conscious/unconscious feelings. emotional struggles or tensions that arise from feelings or thoughts that a person is aware of (conscious) and those they are not fully aware of (unconscious). Neo-Freudians – psychologists who modified Freud’s psychoanalytic theory to include relational, social and cultural aspects.  The Psychodynamic Perspective: A Focus on the Inner Person Freud and Psychoanalysis Structural Theory of Personality/Self The Topographical Theory of personality - Unconscious Defense mechanisms Theory of Psychosexual Development  The structure (sub-divisions) of personality. Two ways of looking at what personality is made up of: Structural Theory Topographical theory ID CONSCIOUS EGO PRE-CONSCIOUS SUPEREGO UNCONSCIOUS  PERSONALITY STRUCTURE The ID – EGO – SUPEREGO (Structural theory) and the CONSCIOUS – PRECONSCIOUS – UNCONSCIOUS (Topographical theory) co-exist Within the structure of our personality. Ryckman, 2004 © S. Scicluna Calleja  Reflective questions Notice your reactions as you answer the following:  Your response... Probably various! What led to these responses ARE ALL IN YOU to different degrees and represent the three main structures of our personality. © S. Scicluna Calleja PERSONALITY STRUCTURE ID: Driven by instinct, pleasure EGO: Controls and reasons Superego: Driven by right and wrong All of us have all 3 but to different degrees.  ID – EGO – SUPEREGO A CONSTANT CONFLICT !! The conflict is an inner one !! © S. Scicluna Calleja ID EGO & SUPEREGO STEAL POWER FROM ID  INSTINCTS An instinct has 4 qualities A Source An Aim An Object An Impetus a force that motivates action. The aim is: TENSION REDUCTION & REGRESSION TO A CALM STATE © S. Scicluna Calleja 2 TYPES OF INSTINCTS  How do we channel instinct to die? Reflected in aggressive, reckless and life-threatning behaviours including self- destructive actions. Ex: in violent and aggressive acts against others, into acceptable experiences (through ego) inwards (less) towards ourselves. It can be channeled in direct or vicarious ways. © S. Scicluna Calleja  Social acceptable ways of satisfying LIBIDO Steady relationship and marriage Art Cinema and TV © S. Scicluna Calleja... More about ID AIM: No tension by satisfying instinctual needs. Tension = Pain (caused by ungratified drives). Pleasure means = satisfying instinctual needs ID will do anything to avoid pain and get pleasure. © S. Scicluna Calleja... More about ID NO RULES NO LOGIC/REASON NOT MORAL NOT EVALUATIVE/NO CONCEPT OF DANGER / CONSEQUENCES CHAOTIC NO SENSE OF TIME AND SPACE Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  How does the ID achieve satisfaction? 1. Primary Process 2. Reflex Action © S. Scicluna Calleja  PRIMARY PROCESS (Cathecting)* Attaching ID energy to an outside object as a means of relieving tension. Examples: ID does not distinguish between fantasy and reality: *Process of choosing a likely object in environment and attaching psychic energy to it. Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  REFLEX ACTION Spontaneous, uninhibited, response. Acting without thinking. Acting out: yelling, losing control, getting sexually aroused, kicking , making a fist. Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  EGO - ‘The Director’ - Begins as a guide to the ID - Later, when the superego develops, it mediates between the two. Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  A strong vs weak Ego 16 yr old 40 yr old Id: This is fun. More, more, Id: This is fun. More, more, more. more. Superego: You are a drunk. You Superego: Mum and dad’s deserve to get sick. voices. Wrong. Ego: (not very strong) So Ego: (stronger) Do not drive what! I won’t show them. home. Get a cab. Stop before you Yahoooo! get sick. © S. Scicluna Calleja  What the ego does... Satisfies the ID in socially acceptable ways (and avoiding guilt, anxiety and punishment of SUPEREGO. Applies defence mechanisms to reduce anxiety. Uses reasoning. Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  How? uses some of this "energy" to enforce rules and make you think about what’s morally right or socially acceptable. STEALS energy of the ID: REALITY TESTING: Instead of just acting on impulses like the Id, the Superego REALITY PRINCIPLE helps think: "Is this realistic or acceptable in the real world?" SECONDARY PROCESS: The Id creates a drive (e.g., hunger), which builds tension (you feel uncomfortable), and the energy (cathexis) gets attached to imagining something that relieves the tension (e.g., food). Reality Testing and Weakening Cathexis -The Superego pushes you to find a real-world solution instead of just fantasizing. Example: If you’re hungry, the Superego encourages you to eat actual food instead of just imagining a feast. Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  SECONDARY PROCESS DRIVE (like with the primary process of the ID)  TENSION (like with the primary process of ID)  CATHEXIS (like in the primary process of ID)  REALITY TESTING  (Weakens Cathexis Bond through IDENTIFICATION – an object in reality that matches the fantasised object)  GRATIFICATION or POSTPONEMENT OR PARTIAL GRATIFICATION Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  Example of identification You are in a lecture and feel hungry (ID--drive). You imagine something delicious you like eating (wishfulfilment). Ego intervenes and you think about where you can buy that food from after the lecture (Identification of object in reality). Lecture ends you go buy the food. Because id is satisfied it is more likely to pass on more energy to the ego (to satisfy it). Ego uses that energy not only to satisfy the id but also to forward its aims, like thinking and having ideas and planning (following the lecture). Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  ID & EGO Analogy From New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis, 1932.  SUPEREGO - Formed around age 4-7 At first through identification with powerful parent (power pleases the id). - Later our own rules and ideals Identification is when a child unconsciously adopts the behaviors, values, and characteristics of someone they look up to. By copying the parent’s behavior, a child feels that they are gaining some of that power and control, which pleases their instinctual desires. By identifying with a parent, a child begins to internalize Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja the values and rules that the parent teaches, shaping their ideas of right and wrong. Where does its energy come from?  SUPEREGO as adults... PERFECTION STATUS SOCIAL APPROVAL RESPECT. Starts by satisfying ID but later becomes a source of pain because of the way it drives the person by feelings of guilt and inadequacy.  2 ASPECTS OF SUPEREGO 1. INTERNAL POLICEMAN (prohibitions) 2. EGO IDEAL (from parental ideals) Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  More about SUPEREGO... Uses guilt and punishment to gain power and control over the personality. Makes us follow it in order not to feel bad or hate ourselves: “That’s right go out, it’s Saturday night after all. Your poor mother will stay home all alone” and you stay in because you cannot live with the guilt. Abused persons feel guilty as if they caused the abuse. Self punishment: self injury (cutting, reckless living, drugs,or promiscuity). Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  Characteristics of a harsh superego... Guilt over standing up to parents. Persons who have a deep sense of duty towards parents. Parents are always right, even when abusive. Persons who cannot say no. Workaholics: hungry superegos needing to do the right thing. Excessive anxiety because person cannot resolve conflict because superego is very strong. Depression, or heart palpitations. Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  But its not always negative: The superego (when mediated by ego): helps you to study and achieve. helps you to have meaningful, lasting relationships. helps you to be a good parent. helps you to be a contributing member of society. © S. Scicluna Calleja  3 functions of the superego Inhibit ID. (All work and no play) Force ego to act morally not rationally. (Scrupulous persons) Forces person towards absolute perfection (perfectionism). Adapted from © S. Scicluna Calleja  More about SUPEREGO A very weak superego = Psychopathic personality Type of parenting influences how strong each aspect of our personality is Very strict parenting leads to a strong superego. Very lax undisciplined parenting - strong id. In both cases the ego has to struggle to gain control (an important task of early adulthood). Parenting which cuts down and erodes faith in self creates a weak ego—gullible open to abuse. © S. Scicluna Calleja  A healthy ego is very important for psychological health Has to be strong enough to get energy from the id or Has to exert energy successfully against the excesses of the superego (or we become very inhibited, over controlled, and feel like failures. Strong enough to engage in social life. Not afraid to go out and try new and more challenging things. © S. Scicluna Calleja  According to Freud a healthy person is one who can LOVE AND WORK (able to move out of self absorption and connect with others and be productive).  Reflection: How strong are the id, ego and superego in you? What are the exaggerated messages coming from your superego: be super thin, super popular, super successful… How does your superego help you? What part of your id is strongest? Aggression, sexuality, greed, pleasure… When does the ego have difficulty keeping control? What messages did your parents give you about your id (instincts), and about superego? What is your parents’ id and superego like? © S. Scicluna Calleja  Exercise Think of a fictional Think of a real life figure: character: With a strong superego With a strong superego With a strong id With a strong id With a strong ego With a strong ego © S. Scicluna Calleja  Sources used https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/topss/lessons/psychoanalysis.pdf https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen- lifespandevelopment/chapter/psychodynamic-theories/ Ryckman, R. M. (2004). Theories of personality. Belmont, CA: Thomson- Wadsworth Scicluna Calleja, S. (2010). Notes on psychodynamic theory. Unpublished.