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Critically evaluate the psychoanalytic approach
The first 200 words of this essay...
Critically evaluate the psychoanalytic approach - Vicki Holgate
Sigmund Freud the founder of psychoanalysis (1896-1939) worked on many ideas and cases that were to do with the mind and the body. Freud spent most of his life in Vienna where he expressed and distinguished the concepts of the unconscious, infantile sexuality and repression.
Freud identified psychosexual stages, which are: -
Oral stage - (approx 0-2 years) During the first year of life the libido is gratified through stimulation of the mucous membrane of the mouth (breast feeding, sucking behaviour). The child will enjoy sucking and biting.
Freud suggested that if a child is weaned too early or too late they can have a fixation by using sucking sensations. Freud though did not give any indication when the correct time is to wean a child in order to overcome these fixations. He did though suggest that the fixations could be apparent in later life in the form of pen sucking or biting of the nail and smoking, as they are all types of oral stimulation/activities. Freud also said that too little stimulation in this early age could lead to the child in adult life having
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Response to the question
Response to Question
The essay is extensive in its response to the question. The extent to which the candidate discusses different aspects of the Psychoanalytic approach is somewhat unbalanced - the stages of development are discussed in a high level of detail compared to the levels of the mind or dream analysis. The evaluation of the approach is detailed and to a high standard.
Level of analysis
Level of Analysis
The extremely broad nature of the essay means that it would be difficult to examine every facet of the pschoanalytic approach to psychology, but this candidate's effort is commendable. Her discussion of the stages of development and the id, ego and superego is detailed and covers most, if not all of the content for these areas. Some topics are limited in their discussion(levels of the mind, dream analysis) but the major points are included, although development of these areas would improve the essay.
The critical evaluation of the psychoanalytic approach is strong, with the bulk of it coming at the end of the essay, although some is included throughout. Occasionally the candidate poses questions in order to critique the approach - "However where did Freud provide this evidence that this is caused in later life if the child does not pass through this stage sufficiently?" - but fails to make any attempt at answering them, meaning that it has little effect in the essay. The inclusion of Grünbaum, a noted critic of Freud and his theories shows the candidate's knowledge of psychology is of a high standard, and the recognition of Jung, although brief, demonstrates thorough knowledge of the psychoanalytic approach, because the candidate has not limited herself to Freud's work alone. However, this section of the essay could be expanded.
Quality of writing
Quality of Writing
Quality of written communication is high, the candidate expresses herself clearly and succinctly. Spelling and grammar are excellent, there are very few errors for such an extended piece of work. Appropriate vocabulary and language are used for GCSE level, and for the subject matter.
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