Download The Psychodynamic Model

• 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
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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
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The Unconscious Mind
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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
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Healthy Psyche
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Psychological Disorders