Psychodynamics - On unconscious

Assess the role of the unconscious and conscious mind on human behavior in relation to two psychodynamic theories Psychodynamics, as its name implies, is concerned with the dynamics of the mind. For the most part, psychodynamic approach attempts to understand how human personality is shaped by past experience and workings of the mind. Mind is understood in terms of conscious and unconscious levels. Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung are psychodynamic psychologists who developed theories on the basis of such a portrait of mind. Freud's psychoanalytic theory emphasizes the importance of innate drives, which shape personality mostly in childhood, through gratification focused on different areas of the body. According to the focus of gratification corresponding to certain age, the development is divided into stages. To deal with innate drives and impulses, personality operates on three main systems (id, ego, and superego), which are one by one set to work. Id is the most primitive part, operating on the pleasure principle. It seeks immediate gratification of the innate drives. Later on, child learns that gratification must be delayed if the situation is not appropriate. Then, the rational part of the personality - ego, is at work. Last but not least, superego is a part representing values and morals of the society and thus helps a person judge what is right and what is wrong. The

  • Word count: 1011
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Psychology
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Theories of Human Behaviour: Psychodynamics, Behaviourism and Cognitive Psychology

Theories of Human Behaviour: Psychodynamics, Behaviourism and Cognitive Psychology Introduction Contemporary psychology has been substantially influenced by different schools of thought, among the most important of which are Classical Freudian Psychotherapy or Psychodynamic Theory, Behaviourism, and Cognitive Psychology. In principle, each attributes the development of human psychological issues to entirely different mechanisms and processes. While none of them necessarily refutes the conceptual validity of the others, each school of psychological thought naturally focuses on very different issues as they relate to understanding healthy and abnormal human psychological development, education and learning theory, and child welfare. In that regard, Freudian Psychodynamics emphasises the distinction between the conscious and unconscious mind and the significance of several universal impulses and frustrations that originate in human infancy. Their relative degree of successful resolution correspond to characteristic patterns within the subconscious mind that strongly influence subsequent psychological development and behaviour in predictable ways that are particular to the nature of those specific types of unconscious impulses and frustrations. Meanwhile, Behaviourism takes an entirely different approach to understanding human psychology. Based largely on

  • Word count: 2516
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Psychodynamics - Methodology

Explain how different research methodologies (e.g. case study, observation, interviews) used in psychodynamic psychology may affect the interpretation of behavior The psychodynamic psychology attempts to understand behavior in terms of the workings of the mind, with an emphasis on motivation and the role of past experience. Accordingly, the focus is on the internal processes that cannot be observed directly. With the strong emphasis on the role of unconscious, the research methods that can reveal inner mental processes should be selected. Deciding upon which methodologies to use to be able to best investigate the mental processes can in turn strengthen or doubt the theory that will emerge form the findings. Freud, as a leading figure of psychodynamic psychology, attempts to explain personality, motivation, and psychological disorders by focusing on unconscious determinant of behavior. According to him, unconscious contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are well bellow the surface of conscious awareness, but that nonetheless exert great influence on behavior. He developed psychoanalysis, a theory and a therapy based on his concern with human mental disorders, such as irrational fears, obsessions, and anxieties. His approach to methodology was qualitative and he used forms of post-modern content analysis. His entire research was based on case studies because by its

  • Word count: 876
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Psychology
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For this assignment I will compare and contrast three of the ten different perspectives of early psychology. The perspectives I have chosen are structuralism, functionalism, and psychodynamics. Structuralism is the name g

Foundations p.1 Celita Hamilton Individual Project 1 Foundations of Behavior April 28, 2006 PSY206 Dr. Mitchell Metzger For this assignment I will compare and contrast three of the ten different perspectives of early psychology. The perspectives I have chosen are structuralism, functionalism, and psychodynamics. Structuralism is the name given to Wilhelm Wundt's (1832-1920) approach by one of his students, E.B. Titchener (1867-1927). The name helped popularize Wundt's ideas in America in a modified form (Wade & Tavris, 2006). This approach in many academic studies explores the interrelationships between fundamental elements of some kind, where some higher mental, linguistic, social, cultural etc. "structures" are built, through which meaning is then produced within a particular person, system, or culture (wikipedia, 2006). The paradigm of this perspective is concerned mostly with the structure of the human mind and not the neurological structure of the brain, but the logical structure of the human thought process. Structuralism looks to reveal the secret nature of thought and show how panhuman thought processes are manifested in culturally diverse situations (Lett, 1987). Philosophically functionalism is the underpinning of empirical research in psychology and cognitive science. Although, as research goes the functionalist approach is continually criticized for its

  • Word count: 702
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Suicide and depression

Did you know that every year about 30,000 people with depression commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents, the second leading cause of death among college-age youth and the sixth leading cause of death in children. Depression is one of the most common, yet under-recognized emotional problems. Everyone has some ups and downs and feels sad sometimes. Many have thoughts of suicide or death at some point in their lives. These thoughts are often in reaction to life's upsets. Just feeling down sometimes or thinking about suicide or death does not mean that you have anything to worry about. Depression can interfere with your daily functioning in school, your relationships with friends and family, your eating and sleeping habits, and your enjoyment of life. Suicide and depression can be related. Suicidal tendencies can range from thoughts or threats of suicide to an actual attempt to kill oneself, which can sometimes end in death. Being depressed doesn't mean you are actually suicidal even if you have thoughts or feelings of suicide. (On the other hand, not all suicidal people are depressed). Although most people who are depressed do not kill themselves, untreated depression can increase the risk of possible suicide. It is not uncommon for depressed individuals to have thoughts about suicide whether or not they intend to act on these thoughts.

  • Word count: 559
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Suicide and depression

Many people, especially young people today believes that they are going through many series of depression although they can not really identify what depression is. A lot of people say that depression is a temporary feeling of sadness. So many people these days say, "I'm depressed", easily during a conversation when they feel sad. Feeling sad is normal for everyone since people can go through events in life that dissatisfies them. However, feeling blue does not mean you are actually suffering from depression. These days, many people who aren't aware of depressions result, pay less attention to it. However, depression is actually a disease just like cancer. Many people believe disease is a condition that occurred from virus, germs or by being a host for parasites. However, the real definition for disease in current days dictionary is "a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning: sickness, malady - "Webster Online'. Depression is a disease that affects in both physical ways and mental ways. In physical terms, a person can suffer insomnia, oversleeping, fatigue and many others symptoms, and in mental ways, the person can feel guilt, constant sadness, many mistakes, slowed mind, and depending on how the patient reacts to these symptoms, it can also affect social part of health. Even though depression is a dangerous, many

  • Word count: 1101
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Healthcare
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Discuss The Biological Explanation for Depression and Biological Treatments for Depression

Discuss The Biological Explanation for Depression and Biological Treatments for Depression The biological explanation or the 'medical model' would favour the nature side of the nature nurture debate. This approach or explanation of dysfunctional behaviour / depression asserts that something in our biology or genetic makeup is the cause of the affective disorder depression. / dysfunctional behaviour such as depression. A number of things such as genetics (a predisposition), biochemical imbalance or even malformation of the structure of the brain are seen to contribute in their own ways to a person suffering from depression. Research has provided evidence to suggest that depression, a mood disorder, may be caused by other family members being diagnosed. Having a first degree relative (parent or sibling) with depression appears to be a risk factor for depression. Family studies such as Wenders select people who already depression. Twin studies also provide evidence of depression running in families. In Wenders study (1986) they looked at the biological relatives of adopted people who had been hospitalised for severe depression. The study found a much higher incidence of severe depression in those relatives than those of a non-depressed control group Wender concluded from this research that there is a significant genetic link between unipolar depression and suicide as there

  • Word count: 1393
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Classification and Diagnosis of Depression

Outline the clinical characteristics of depression (5) The clinical characteristics of depression are sad depressed mood, most of the day, nearly every day for two weeks, or loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities. There is also difficulties in sleeping (insomnia); not falling asleep initially; not returning to sleep after awakening in the middle of the night, and early morning awakenings; or, in some patients, a desire to sleep a great deal of the time. A shift in activity level and feeling lethargic or agitated is also a common symptom. Poor appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain is a physical symptom of depression. You may also experience loss of energy and great fatigue. A negative self concept, self blame and feelings of worthlessness and guilt with further evidence being difficulty in concentrating, such as slowed thinking and indecisiveness. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide is the main symptom and finally apathy (no interest or pleasure in activities). There are two types of unipolar depression according to the classification systems. The first is major depressive disorder and the other is dysthymic disorder. Patients with MDD require five symptoms, suicidal thoughts. The symptoms are severe but can be short lived. On the other hand DD requires three or more symptoms, including depressed mood but not suicidal thoughts. Patients

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  • Word count: 1719
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Manic Depression.

MANIC DEPRESSION Bipolar disorder causes a person to have mood swings between extreme mania and deep depression; however, there are ways to regulate these fluctuations. Many famous artists and writers have experienced bipolar disorder throughout their lives because of unrelieved stress pertaining to their careers. Those included in that are Ernest Hemingway, Amedeo Modigliani, and Robin Williams. Researchers have found that the main cause for this disease has genetic influence. Treatment may include antidepressants and/or psychotherapy, although many patients enjoy the extreme highs and forgo treatment. In North America alone, about one percent of people experience bipolar disorder during their lives. In comparison, at least eight percent of people experience serious depression during their lives. Bipolar disorder affects men and women about equally and is somewhat more common in wealthier classes (Sommers 5-6). At least fifteen percent of people with bipolar disorder commit suicide. Bipolar disorder usually begins in a person's late teens or twenties. Men usually experience mania as the first mood episode, whereas women typically experience depression first. Episodes of mania and depression usually last from several weeks to several months. On average, people with untreated bipolar disorder experience four episodes of mania or depression over any ten-year period

  • Word count: 1805
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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germany, depression

GCSE coursework Germany 1919-1945 depth study: Question 2 Short term causes are directly linked to the event while long term causes are indirectly linked; long term causes usually start some time before a particular event and take a long time to take an effect, while short term causes start nearer the event and have a rapid effect. In the list the short term causes are: the economic depression, Von Papen and Hindenburg's actions, and the enabling law. These are all short term because they directly lead to Hitler's gain of power; they have quick effects and were caused by long term causes. The long term causes are the Treaty of Versailles, the Munich putsch and Hitler's public speaking and leadership skills. These are long term causes because their effects carry on through the whole campaign and they started off a chain of events. The Treaty of Versailles helped Hitler gain power because it was resented by Germany and Hitler wanted to get rid of it, the treaty disgraced and humiliated the proud nation of Germany. This made Germany be supportive of Hitler's cause because he wanted to get rid of it, so it was beneficial to join him. The Treaty of Versailles is linked to everything on the list and is at the start of Hitler's aim for power, it was Hitler's first step to power so everything else he did links back to the Treaty. The Treaty led on to the Munich putsch,

  • Word count: 1055
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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