Psychodynamic Approach Definition

Words: 304
Pages: 2

The psychoanalytic approach was Sigmund Freud's theory in who believed that behaviour comes from the unconscious mind and experiences in childhood have an effect on the mental health as an adult. Freud saw that personality consists of three parts: the id that is present from birth and the selfish principle, the ego which is the reality principle and the superego which is the conscience. Freud believes that abnormal behaviour is caused by a conflict between the id and superego (McGinley et al, 2008). To deal with the conflict everyone has defence mechanisms which are used as protection from the painful and guilty feelings such as anxiety. The defence mechanisms include repression, displacement, denial and regression. Another assumption of Freud's