Psychodynamics - On unconscious

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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.
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The most important assumption in Freud's theory is, however, the idea of unconscious processes, which are beyond our control. These processes have a major influence in governing human actions, thoughts, and feelings. Freud used a metaphor of iceberg to suggest the importance of unconscious, which is represented by the bigger part of an iceberg under the water and conscious part being the smaller part floating above the surface. Unconscious contents are mostly fears, desires, beliefs, and nevertheless emotionally painful memories (mostly from childhood) that were repressed.

Freud's theory emerged from research and can be applied for ...

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