APPROACHES TO SOCIAL

WORK:
PSYCHOANALYTIC
THEORY

Presented by:
Group: B
Adharsa Saula College
Social Work
BASW, 2nd Year
25th Feb, 2024
Contents
What will we be discussing on?

1. Psychoanalytic theory

2. Topographical aspect of mind

3. Structural model of mind

4. Freud’s psychosexual stages of development

5. Conclusion
01
PSYCHOANALYTI
C THEORY
Psychoanalytic theory
● Developed by Sigmund Freud (1896 AD)
● States that conscious experience only makes up small part psychological makeup rather it is
unconscious level of mind dictating much larger part of the behavior.
● Childhood event eventually cumulate to make up adult mental functioning.
● Mind has 2 aspects:
○ Topographical
■ Conscious
■ Subconscious/Preconscious
■ Unconscious
○ Structural
■ Id
■ Ego
■ Superego
02
TOPOGRAPHICAL
ASPECTS OF
MIND
 Topographical aspects of mind
Represents the three levels of mind
○ Visible above the surface  Conscious
○ Hidden deep below the surface  Unconscious mind
○ Between (Surface level)  Subconscious mind
 Topographical Aspects of Mind
Above Iceberg:
Conscious
• Consists of what we are aware of
at any given point in time.
• Things that we are thinking about
right now, if we are aware of it,
then it is the conscious mind.
• For example if we take any
decision at that time or planned
anything then it is an example of
conscious mind. It includes
fantasies, Feelings, Memories,
thoughts etc.
Surface : Subconscious
• Dreams are made here.
• Called as a storehouse of all
remembered experiences,
impressions that are left on
the mind by such experiences
and tendencies that are
awakened or reinforced by
these impressions.
• It contains thoughts that are
unconscious but can be
easily recalled.
Below Iceberg:
Unconscious
• Made up of thoughts, memories,
primitive desires that are buried
deep within our selves, far below
our conscious awareness.
• Most of the contents of the
unconscious are unacceptable or
unpleasant, such as feelings of
pain, anxiety or conflict.
• According to Freud, the
unconscious continues to
influence our behavior and
experience, even though we are
unaware of these underlying
influences.
03
STRUCTURAL
MODEL OF MIND
 Three entities:
Id:
• Primitive part of the mind that seeks immediate gratification of biological or
instinctual needs.
Biological needs  Basic physical needs
Instinctual needs  Natural/ Unlearned needs (Hunger, thirst, sex)
• Biological in nature.
• Present at birth.
• Primary function  immediate gratification of biologically based urges.
• Reflex action and primary process.
• Example:
If your id passed through a boy playing with a ball the immediate
urge to get that ball will drive you to snatch it by any means this is irrational and
may lead to the conflict between the boys.
 Three entities:
SuperEgo:
• Psychological in nature.
• Primary function  mediate among the id, the realities of the world and the
superego.
• It is secondary process.
• It is related to the social or the moral values that an individual acts as an
matured.
• As the individual grows in the society, he learns the cultural values and the norms
of the society which helps him to differentiate between right and wrong.
• Example:
If the superego passed, that boy playing with a ball, it would know that
snatching is bad and may lead to quarrel. Thus, super ego acts as a constraint on
your behavior and guides you to follow the right path.
 Three entities:
Ego:
• Logical and the conscious part of the mind
• Associated with the reality principle.
• Balances the demands of id and superego in the context of real life situations.
• Example:
If you pass through the same boy playing with the ball, your ego will mediate the
conflict between the Id and superego and will decide to buy a new ball for
yourself.
04
Freud’s Psychosexual
Stages of Development
 Psychosexual Stages of Development
• According to Sigmund Freud, children go
through a series of psychosexual stages that
lead to the development of adult personality.
• Describes how personality develops the over
course of childhood.
• During the psychosexual stages, which are the
oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital stages,
the erogenous zone associated with each stage
serves as a source of pleasure.
 Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development
STAGE AGES PLEASURE SOURCE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT FIXATION

ORAL Birth to 1 Mouth (Rooting and Sucking Coming off breast feeding Drinking, eating,
year reflex) smoking or nail-
biting

ANAL 1 to 3 years Anus (Excretion/retention) Toilet training Liking yellow color,

(Sense of accomplishment orderliness,
and independence) rigidness

PHALLIC 3 to 6 years Genital Oedipus/ Electra complex Sexual dysfunction

Difference between male-female

LATENT 6 to Puberty None (Renouncement in Developing social skill, defense Immaturity and
sexual interest) mechanism inability to form
Superego continues development fulfilling relation in
adult.

GENITAL Above Genitals Full sexual maturity; strong Mentally healthy

puberty sexual interest to opposite sex
05
Conclusion
 Conclusion
• The interplay between social case work and psychoanalytical thinking reveals
a dynamic relationship that enhances our understanding of human behavior
and development.
• Social case work provides a practical framework for addressing
individuals' immediate needs within their social context, while
psychoanalytical concepts dive into the depths of unconscious processes and
personal history.
• Together, they form a comprehensive approach that recognizes the close
connections between the individual and their environment, making a holistic
understanding essential for effective intervention and support in the field of
social work.
Thanks!
Have A Great Day!!

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