Ch 11 - Jeff Standen

vein, he also claims that the Ego produces desires for social
harmony (Freud, 1930).
It blames parents Critics argue that psychodynamic theory
blames parents for all our ills. It does tend to see the
individual as a product of their parenting. And there is
evidence to support this view - for example the effects of
child abuse on adult life. However, this evidence is
controversial. The psychodynamic model has been accused
of fuelling the recent panic over false memory syndrome
and 'recovered memories' of child abuse which may not
have actually occurred (see pp 31 and 42). But, by the late
1890s, Freud was convinced that many adult claims of
sexual abuse during childhood were fantasies.
It is culture specific Critics have argued that
psychodynamic theory only applies to the sexually
repressed Victorian period and has little relevance to the
relatively open and free sexual expression of more recent
times. Others, for example feminists like Lynne Segal (2000),
argue that it remains relevant and continues to provide
important insights.
Key terms
r.
Id The unconscious mind which is the source of desires and
V
impulses which spring from innate
drives.
Ego The conscious part of the mind which keeps thoughts
actions in line with the demands of the wider
society.
Superego The part of the mind which contains moral values -
what people would like to be and think they ought to be.
Ego defences The various strategies
defend itself against Id impulses and traumatic
used by the Ego to
experiences.
Repression The most important Ego defence. It prevents
impulses and traumatic memories from entering
awareness.
Free association A technique used in psychoanalytic
which the patient lets their mind wander
freely.
Id
conscious
and
therapy in
Catharsis The release of pent-up emotion when the patient
brings repressed material into conscious awareness.
Transference In therapy, where the patient directs
repressed feelings towards others on to the analyst.
their
'
Positive views The psychodynamic model flourished
between the 1920s and the 1960s, and is still influential
today. Many psychiatrists were attracted by
psychodynamic ideas and adopted them into their own
practice.
Psychoanalysis has been the most influential
psychological theory of the 20th century, having a
significant effect on a whole range of disciplines from
anthropology, women's studies and theology, to literary
criticism and cinema studies.
By rejecting the sharp distinction between normality and
abnormality, the psychodynamic model created greater
sympathy for people with psychological disorders. In
addition, psychoanalysis with its focus on talking as
opposed to drugs, shocks and brain surgery, offered more
humane treatment than the biological model. Finally, its
supporters see the value of the model in its power to
enhance our understanding of ourselves and from the
number of people who testify how it has helped them in
their own lives.
( Summary
1
1 \e psychodynamic model sees the mind as active
and complex, with some mental processes operating
unconsciously.
Psychological disorders arise from mental conflict - in
particular conflict between the Id, Ego and Superego.
Repression is a major cause of psychological disorders.
It pushes impulses and traumatic experiences out of
conscious awareness, but they continue to threaten the
individual.
Psychoanalytic treatment is designed to bring repressed
material into conscious awareness. Once there, the
patient can make sense of their experience and come
to terms with it.
The psychodynamic model has been criticised as
unscientific, deterministic, pessimistic, culture specific,
and, in terms of the treatment it offers, as ineffective.
However, its influence has been widespread and many
individuals have nothing but praise for the way it has
helped their lives.