INTRODUCTION. A set of assumptions or rules on which the practice of an activity is based on is called a theory. It is also a fundamental or a basis used to account for a situation. There are several theories used in counseling practice. However, in this essay, I will only deal with the three prominent theories, which are, Psychoanalytic theory, Behavioral theory and Humanistic theory. The first part of this essay will evaluate the Psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalytical theory defined and evaluated the development and structure of personality. Freud believed human nature is mostly easily determinable. People were helped to gain an insight into their unconscious thoughts by making them conscious which made easy the release …show more content…
(Freud, 1949) Help is provided to the clients to enable them strengthen their EGO and protect it from being in any conflict between their ID and SUPEREGO. This theory is used to rectify the client’s character and their system of personality if found to have issues. The theory aims at making the unconscious, conscious by releasing the repressed emotions and experiences. Psychoanalytic theory also aims at helping clients work through their developmental stages not previously resolved well to solve the problem of fixation. Basic Assumptions of Psychoanalytic Theory The first basic assumption of Psychoanalytic theory is that all mental processes are not spontaneous but are caused by the unconscious or pre-existing mental complexes. It suggests that nothing happens accidently and all behaviors are due to unconscious incidences in the minds of the clients. “Another assumption of Psychoanalytic theory is Unconscious motivation. Freudian view suggested that the motivation for any behavior came from the unconscious mind. In addition, it says that typical causes of psychological problems in individuals are from trauma repressed in the unconscious or hidden unresolved issues experienced during early childhood development” (Guntrip, …show more content…
These are coping ways adopted by the EGO when it cannot deal realistically with the development of personality which occurs in different phases of a person’s development period. These stages are called the psychosexual stages of development. Techniques Used In Psychoanalytic Theory Psychoanalytic therapy contains several therapeutic techniques. These techniques are aimed at assisting create an awareness and bring an insight into the client's behavior. The first technique used is known as Free Association where the counselor invites the client to describe any thought, feeling or image that comes to mind, even if it seems painful, unimportant or irrelevant. Another technique used is known as Dream analysis where the therapist tries to correctly and accurately interpret the clients manifest and latent content of their dream so that the person’s unconscious instincts, wishes and desires are released Interpretation of resistance is also a technique used during psychoanalytic theory where the blocks encountered by clients in their free association are interpreted to get
One of history’s well known and most influential psychologist was Sigmund Freud. He founded the study of Psychoanalysis, which is the study of the “unconscious mind”. He also did other studies such as dream interpretations and repression. However, up to this day some of Freud’s theories are controversial in our world today. Freud wrote a book called “Group Psychology & the Analysis of the Ego” where he argues and investigate group behavior is psychoanalysis.
The three major theoretical perspectives in pyscology are learning, psychodynamic, and biological. Each one of these perspectives searches for answers about behavior thrpugh different techniques and through looking for answers to different kinds of questions. Due to the different approaches, each perspective is widely accepted while others struggle for acceptance. Learning Perspective The writings and findings of Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner have done for the advancement of modern pyscology.
Psychoanalysis is a method of therapy that originated by famous Austrian physician, Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalysis studies the mind, and treating the mental and emotional disorders by using techniques such as free association, dream interpretation and analysis of transference to investigate the underlying motives of unconscious minds. According to Lapsley, D. K., & Stey, P.C. (2012) Encyclopedia of Human Behavior (Second edition), one of the major concepts of psychoanalytic therapy is the construction of human personality, which consists of id, ego and superego. Id is the newborn’s reservoirs and it is instinctual driven.
The primary purpose in psychodynamic counselling is to release repressed emotions and experiences so as to make the unconscious motives conscious. That is, to enable individual to review feelings, thoughts, early-life experiences, and beliefs to gain insight into current problems and patterns of behaviour. It is stated that by identifying recurring patterns, the individual may perceive the ways in which they avoid distress or develop defense mechanisms as a method of coping so that they can take steps to change those patterns (www.goodtherapy.org). Freud’s stage of psychosexual development (and Erikson’s psychosexual stage of development) is a framework that the counsellor may use for the understanding of key developmental tasks characteristic of the various stages of life. The core principles of psychodynamic approaches to counselling include: The belief that early childhood experiences and past events, often unconsciousness, determine how people feel about themselves and their world.
There are key concepts of psychoanalytic therapy. Firstly, view of human nature (Corey, 2013, p. 58). It is fundamentally deterministic (Corey, 2013, p. 58). Instincts are the key to Freudian approach (Corey, 2013, p. 58).
1. The psychoanalytic analysis in general Psychoanalytic criticism was developed by Austrian neurologist and the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. His theory is based on conscious and unconscious functioning, stages of growth, developments in human behavior and normal and abnormal experiences. If we apply some psychoanalytic techniques like flashbacks, childhood memories and regression, we can uncover the hidden meanings, motivations, repressed dreams and wishes within the text. Major principles of Freud’s theory are the models of human psyche, the psychosexual stages, defense mechanism, the Oedipus complex, dreams and dream symbols.
Depression can be a biological disease as much as a psychological disease. It is most commonly defined as a lengthened sense of hopelessness in an individual. In the perspective of a psychoanalyst, the roots of depression come from hidden disturbances. This theory of psychoanalysis states that a person’s childhood residue of repressed conflicts and impulses stimulate negative effects on the person, one of which includes depression.
PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORY The word psychodynamic means to a large group of theories that affects the It is a way that tells that personality of the mind exists in the conscious, subconscious and unconscious states like the unconscious wishes, feelings and thoughts. This theory is presented by Sigmund Freud in which he mentions that personality contains three components which are the id, the ego and the superego. These all work collaboratively in order to make complex human behaviours. Id is associated with the way of thinking or the natural ability and the crave for pleasure.
INTRODUCTION Advanced Counselling Theories: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PP) rooted from traditional psychoanalysis theories. PP operates with the basic assumption that focuses on unconscious processes, recognising how a person’s behaviour and feelings in the present rooted from childhood experiences in the past. The objective of PP is to facilitate client to reach self-awareness and to have a better understanding of the problems by identifying the origin of the issues as well as underlying causes that may be present. PP places heavy emphasis on client’s relationships and interpersonal experience (Shedler, 2010).
Freud thought about the human process through psychosexual stages (5) and named them each with a particular characteristic behaviour. Such as; Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency and Genital stages. In this approach unconscious is the key determine of how humans behave. At the same time our childhood experiences are important to determine our personality when we reach adulthood. Anxiety is the key concept of Freud’s personality profile.
1.1 Describe the main theoretical methods In the past 120 years, the world has emerged in the psychology of the five core disciplines. Including psychological dynamics theory, behaviorism theory, humanistic psychology and trait theory. Psychological dynamics theory: Another name is the dynamic psychology. This theory is from Freud, (1856-1939);
Freud's approach focuses on the unconscious and how it influences and control humans. The idea was by Freud that all individuals are born with the Id, Ego and Super-Ego and learning how to manage these through childhood experiences. Most researchers consider the psychodynamic approach as absurd and irrelevant. But while there is a lack of scientific data in this approach is difficult to say that the work of Freud is irrelevant because of the impact it has had on the field (Westen, 1998).
3. Psychotherapy 3.1Definition of Psychotherapy “Psychotherapy is a process within which patients have the opportunity and even the responsibility to express thoughts and feelings that are not easily articulated elsewhere.” (Farber, Barry A.; Hall, Desnee, 2002) According to Jung, Psychotherapy”Is a process through which patients are enabled to discover their own psyche so that it may be brought to full individuation in moving towards the attainment of self through counteracting one-sided development.” (Meyer, Moore, Viljoen, 2003)
Sigmund Freud has contributed considerably to the field of psychology including, but not limited to, his controversial psychodynamic theory. Freud’s psychodynamic theory states that our personality is formed when we are young by three competing factors: Id (instincts), Ego (compromise of Id and Superego), and Superego (morals and social rules). Freud argues that these three separate but combined forces shape us into the people we are today. If we are able to internally cope with these factors, then we are seen as normal people. It is when we cannot achieve balance between these forces we develop an abnormal psychological disorder.
The term personality refers to the combination of characteristics or qualities that forms an individual’s distinctive character, affecting their behaviour, thoughts and feelings. Many psychologists over the years have proposed theories that try to explain the origins of personality, but one of the most highly influential set of theories comes from the work of Sigmund Freud in the 20th century, who first proposed the theory of psychoanalysis. Collectively, these theories are known as psychodynamic theories and although many different psychodynamic theories exist, they all emphasize unconscious motives and desires, as well as the importance of childhood experiences in shaping personality. Freud’s main psychodynamic theories are the topographical model of mind, the structural model of mind, the defence mechanisms and the psychosexual stages.