The aim of this essay is to explain, evaluate and critically discuss the Psychodynamic and the Humanistic perspective and how they help our understanding of the treatments for abnormal behaviour. It will explain and look in to Freud’s Psychodynamic theory, which include the psychoanalytical/iceberg theory, his psychodynamic model of personality and the psychosexual stages of development. It will look at these theories in some depth, evaluate each of them and show how they relate to mental health. The Humanistic perspective will then be explained in the same context. It will explain what this perspective is and then look in to the approaches within the perspective. It will look in to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Carl Rogers’ self-actualisation.
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Id (present from birth. We are driven to receive immediate satisfaction). Superego (Conducted by the moral restraints. This is a person’s ‘conscience’ and rejects the desire for instant gratification). Finally, ego (this provides integration of the personality and negotiates connections to the outside world. Therefore, it is our reality principle). (Glassman and Haded, 2009, p234). This theory can be presented in visual form. Also known as the iceberg model. This model emphasizes that the id is unconscious, while the ego and superego are mostly conscious. (Glassman and Haded, 2009, p236) Freud stated (1915) the primary source of human behaviour is the unconscious mind. This suggestion resembles the iceberg theory. Such as, the most important part of the mind is the part which is unseen (the unconscious, the thoughts we are not normally aware of). The middle section is the part that was sometimes acknowledged by the brain and other times not (memories). Finally, the top is the conscious part, which we are aware of every day (thoughts and decisions). When a person suffers from a mental disorder such as Anxiety, the ego signals that it is afraid of being overwhelmed by an all-powerful id (neurotic anxiety) or superego (moral anxiety). Therefore, it must mobilise its defences. Consequently, symptoms can result in it being even less likely that the true nature of the problem (underlying conflict) will be spotted. (Gross, 2010, p730) A strength of this theory is it explains the different parts of our minds. Another thing which makes this theory more creditable is how the understanding of human nature allowed the inventions of different therapies. A weakness of this theory however is, we can sometimes rely on the unconscious/memories too often. These are not always deemed effective and lack of memory can lead to further problems. For example, someone with Dementia can no longer rely on their basic functions such as
Id (present from birth. We are driven to receive immediate satisfaction). Superego (Conducted by the moral restraints. This is a person’s ‘conscience’ and rejects the desire for instant gratification). Finally, ego (this provides integration of the personality and negotiates connections to the outside world. Therefore, it is our reality principle). (Glassman and Haded, 2009, p234). This theory can be presented in visual form. Also known as the iceberg model. This model emphasizes that the id is unconscious, while the ego and superego are mostly conscious. (Glassman and Haded, 2009, p236) Freud stated (1915) the primary source of human behaviour is the unconscious mind. This suggestion resembles the iceberg theory. Such as, the most important part of the mind is the part which is unseen (the unconscious, the thoughts we are not normally aware of). The middle section is the part that was sometimes acknowledged by the brain and other times not (memories). Finally, the top is the conscious part, which we are aware of every day (thoughts and decisions). When a person suffers from a mental disorder such as Anxiety, the ego signals that it is afraid of being overwhelmed by an all-powerful id (neurotic anxiety) or superego (moral anxiety). Therefore, it must mobilise its defences. Consequently, symptoms can result in it being even less likely that the true nature of the problem (underlying conflict) will be spotted. (Gross, 2010, p730) A strength of this theory is it explains the different parts of our minds. Another thing which makes this theory more creditable is how the understanding of human nature allowed the inventions of different therapies. A weakness of this theory however is, we can sometimes rely on the unconscious/memories too often. These are not always deemed effective and lack of memory can lead to further problems. For example, someone with Dementia can no longer rely on their basic functions such as