PSYCHODYNAMIC

THEORY
 Table of
Contents Theory?
• What is Psychodynamic
• Psychodynamic Approach
• Id, Ego, and Superego
• Defense Mechanisms
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Assumptions
 What is Psychodynamic Theory?

-Psychodynamic theory focuses on the psychological drives and

forces within individuals that explain human behavior and
personality. The theories originate from Sigmund Freud's
psychoanalysis, which focused on the unconscious mind as the
source of psychological distress and dysfunction.
 What is Psychodynamic Theory?

-The psychodynamic perspective is grounded in the belief that past

experiences, particularly traumatic experiences, play a significant
role in shaping present behavior. The theory suggests that much of
our mental life is unconscious, and our behavior and feelings as
adults are rooted in our childhood experiences.
The words psychodynamic and psychoanalytic are
often confused. Remember that Freud’s theories
were psychoanalytic, whereas the term
“psychodynamic refers to his theories and those of
his followers.
Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis was the original
psychodynamic theory. Psychoanalysis is also the
name given to the therapy derived from the theory
of Sigmund Freud.
Psychodynamic Approach

Reminds nurses to pay attention to emotions, unconscious

motivations and psychological growth and development of
all those involved in health care and learning
Id, Ego, Superego
The concept of Id, Ego, and Superego, proposed by
Sigmund Freud, provides a framework for
understanding the inner workings of the human mind
and its influence on personality. The concept of Id,
Ego, and Superego, proposed by Sigmund Freud,
provides a framework for understanding the inner
workings of the human mind and its influence on
personality.
 ID - INSTINCTS
The id is the impulsive (and unconscious) part of our psyche that responds directly and immediately to basic
urges, needs, and desires. The personality of the newborn child is all id, and only later does it develop an ego
and super-ego.

The id engages in primary process thinking, which is primitive, illogical, irrational, and fantasy-oriented. This
form of process thinking has no comprehension of objective reality, and is selfish and wishful in nature. The id
operates on the pleasure principle (Freud, 1920), that every unconscious wishful impulse should be satisfied
immediately, regardless of the consequences.

The id comprises two kinds of biological instincts (or drives), including the sex (life) instinct called Eros (which
contains the libido) and the aggressive (death) instinct called Thanatos. Eros, or life instinct, helps the individual
to survive; it directs life-sustaining activities such as respiration, eating, and sex (Freud, 1925). The energy
created by the life instinct is known as libido. In contrast, Thanatos, or death instinct, is viewed as a set of
destructive forces in all human beings (Freud, 1920). When this energy is directed outward onto others, it is
expressed as aggression and violence. Freud believed that Eros was stronger than Thanatos, thus enabling people
to survive rather than self-destruct.
 EGO - REALITY
Freud’s ego is the rational part of the psyche that mediates between the instinctual desires of the
id and the moral constraints of the superego, operating primarily at the conscious level.

Seeks to satisfy the needs and desire of the id in realistic and socially acceptable manner. The ego
considers the consequences of an action before taking them, as it strives to maintain a balance
between the desires of the id and the demands of reality.

The ego develops from the id during infancy. The ego’s goal is to satisfy the id’s demands in a
safe and socially acceptable way. In contrast to the id, the ego follows the reality principle as it
operates in both the conscious and unconscious mind.
Healthy ego (self) development, as emphasized by Freud’s followers, is an important
consideration in healthcare fields.

For example, patients with ego strength can cope with painful medical treatments because they
recognize the long-term value of enduring discomfort and pain to achieve a positive outcome.

Patients with weak ego development, in contrast, may miss their appointments and treatments or
engage in short-term pleasurable activities that work against their healing and recovery

When the ego is threatened, as can easily occur in the healthcare setting, defense mechanisms may
be employed to protect the self. The short-term use of defense mechanisms is a way of coming to
grips with reality.
 Ego Defense Mechanisms:
Ways of Protecting the Self from a Perceived Threat

Denia -Ignoring or refusing to acknowledge the reality of a threat

l
Rationalization -Excusing or explaining away a threat

-Taking out hostility and aggression on other individuals

Displacement rather than directing anger at the source of the threat
 Ego Defense Mechanisms:
Ways of Protecting the Self from a Perceived Threat

Repression -Keeping unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or actions from

conscious awareness

-Returning to an earlier (less mature, more primitive) stage of

Regression behavior as a way of coping with a threat

-Minimizing anxiety by responding to a threat in a

Intellectualization detached, abstract manner without feeling or emotion
 Ego Defense Mechanisms:
Ways of Protecting the Self from a Perceived Threat

-Seeing one's own unacceptable characteristics or desires in other

Projection people

Reaction -Expressing or behaving the opposite of what is really felt

formation
-Converting repressed feelings into socially acceptable
Sublimation action

Compensation -Making up for weaknesses by excelling in other areas

 SUPEREGO - VOICE OF CONSCIENCE
It is a part of unconscious that is the voice of conscience (doing what is right) and the source
of self criticism.
Freud’s superego is the moral component of the psyche, representing internalized societal
values and standards. It contrasts with the id’s desires, guiding behavior towards moral
righteousness and inducing guilt when standards aren’t met.

The superego consists of two systems: The conscience and the ideal self.

• The conscience is our “inner voice” that tells us when we have done something wrong.
The conscience can punish the ego by causing feelings of guilt.

• The ideal self (or ego-ideal) is an imaginary picture of how you ought to be, and represents
career aspirations, how to treat other people, and how to behave as a member of society.
Resistance - a process where people resist talking
about or learning. It is an indicator or underlying
emotional difficulties, which must be dealt with for
them to move ahead emotionally and behaviorally.

Transference - occurs when an individual

protect their feelings, conflicts and reactions.
 STRENGTHS
• Many observations of psychodynamic therapists appear to be borne
out in everyday life, e.g., defense mechanisms.
• Many people with psychological disturbances do recollect
childhood traumas.
• Freudian theory provides a comprehensive framework to describe
human personality.
• Freud 'rehumanised' the distressed, making their suffering more
comprehensible to the rest of society.
• By developing a method of treatment, Freud encouraged a more
optimistic view regarding psychological distress. Mental illness
could, in some cases at least, be treated.
 WEAKNESSES
• Has explanatory power, but lacks scientific validity
• Psychoanalysis depends on the therapist's subjective
interpretation
• Freud used a biased sample
• Over focus on sexual issues
• It is deterministic-suggests that behaviour is pre determined
and people do not have free will (Freuds psychosexual
stages)
• critics often accuse it of being too deterministic, and
therefore, denying that people can exercise conscious free
will.
 ASSUMPTIONS
• All adult personality and thus abnormalities are the
result of childhood experiences.
• Adult personality is largely determined by the age of
five.
• Behaviour is driven by unconscious motives.
• Abnormalities are caused by unconscious conflicts.
• Early childhood experiences are important in the
development of the adult personality.
• Childhood development, up to teenage years, takes
place through psychosexual stages.
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