Describe and Discuss the psychodynamic explanation of behaviour

assumption is that our personality is divided into id, ego and super ego. Id is the part of us that wants immediate gratification and pleasure- connected to sex instinct (unconscious level).  It is the personality construct we are born with and operates on the pleasure principle. The id is kept in check with the ego (conscious) which determines the most satisfying outcome. The super ego is the part of us that is most like our conscious. The ego is the reality principle which balances the drives of the id. The id uses defence mechanisms, such as, denial, to cope with anxiety caused by conflict of id and super ego. Another key assumption is that we develop through five psychosexual stages through birth to childhood. Each stage has a conflict and each stage is driven by our libido or sex instinct. These stages create adult personality. The stages include; oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital stage. The Phallic stage is the most important, it takes place between the age of 4-6 years. The erogenous zone is the genitals. During this stage boys develop the Oedipus complex and girls develop the Electra complex. With the Oedipus complex, boys want to sexually possess their mother and remove their father, due to the fear the father will castrate him, according to Freud. Girls on the other hand, want to sexually possess their father and remove mothers. They want a substitute baby with the father. Boys tend to identify with the father and internalise his values and girls identify with the mother and move through this stage. Although the boys want to sexually posses their mothers and girls, posses their fathers it is in their unconscious mind so they are unaware of it. It is the most important as they develop a super ego (conscious) at this stage. Also fixation at any of the psychosexual stages can affect us later in life. The psychodynamic perspective was studied by Freud using a case study of little Hans. The study showed the effectiveness of the treatment of phobias. It was also detailed and in depth. However it had a some limitations, firstly the analysis was conducted by the father who was biased. He supported Freud and Hans may have given answers the father wanted. It is a case study and is therefore unique and cannot be generalisable. Also it is key to note, Freud applied the theory to the case. The case did not create the theory. Although the method of the case study has its limitations the psychodynamic approach has a huge impact on the world of counselling, psychotherapy, and psychiatry the first therapy.Also Freud was the first person to say that childhood has an impact on adult personality. It is also the first theory of child development and stage model development.It also has key limitations, it is difficult to test Freud’s theories-non-falsifiable not scientific. Therefore we cant disprove them. Case studies cant be repeated as they often have unrepresentative samples, therefore results cannot be generalisable. The effectiveness of therapy has been questioned. Also it is seen to be outdated. Was done years back and some of it is irrelevant in the world today.