Psychodynamic Approach
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 5.2.1
Psychodynamic Approach: Strengths
There are several different approaches to the study of psychology: psychodynamic, cognitive, biological, and learning.
Strengths
- Strengths of the psychodynamic approach include:
- Being the first to look at psychological causes.
- Linked to biological needs.
- Provided methods for therapy.
- Looked at how experiences affect development later on.
Early development
- Historically, abnormal behaviour was believed to be due to the Devil’s work or evil spirits.
- Abnormal behaviour was also thought to be due to physical causes.
- This was the first approach to focus on psychological causes.
- For example, the psychodynamic approach links depression to either inwardly directed anger or an excessive super-ego (amongst other causes).
Psychology and biology link
- As well, this was the first approach to examine the link between psychological health problems and biological needs.
- If a person’s biological needs are not fulfilled, then a person can develop a disorder.
Therapy
- Therapy is an important aspect of psychology.
- Through psychoanalysis, patients can have a better understanding of their problems by looking for the cause.
Psychodynamic Approach: Weaknesses
There are several different approaches to the study of psychology: psychodynamic, cognitive, biological, and learning.
Weaknesses
- Weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach include:
- Subjectivity.
- Lack of falsifiability.
- Issues with psychoanalysis therapy.
- Too much emphasis on the past.
- No establishment of cause and effect.
Subjectivity
- Freud examined patient’s dreams. So he had the potential for subjectivity.
- His conclusions were unreliable and had bias.
Falsifiability
- Falsifiability is the concept that scientific theories should be able to be proven false.
- As Freud’s interpretations and conclusions were based on the unconscious mind, they are difficult to prove false.
Time and financial cost
- While therapy can be of great benefit, psychoanalysis can be time-consuming and expensive.
Emphasis on past experience
- Psychoanalysis focuses on the past - the patient’s childhood traumas and conflicts are discussed.
- This can be distressing and turn the patient's focus from the present issues they are suffering from.
Cause and effect
- Freud was unscientific in his approach. The scientific method was not followed.
- As a result, it is nearly impossible to establish cause and effect of behaviour.
- This was a strength of the cognitive and behavioural approaches.
Test yourself on Psychodynamic Approach
What is NOT a strength of the psychodynamic approach?
What is NOT a weakness of the psychodynamic approach?
Which of the following are weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach?