Essay about The Psychodynamic Model of Abnormality

The Psychodynamic Model of Abnormality The psychodynamic model of abnormality is useful to an extent. However it has many weaknesses. The psychodynamic model of abnormality was initiated by Sigmund Freud. Sigmund Freud was very interested in hysteria. This is the manifestation of physical causes. He became convinced that unconscious mental causes were responsible not just abnormality but also normality. Freud developed Psychoanalysis. This is a set of techniques for treating the unconscious causes of mental disorders and built up a psychoanalytic theory of how human personality and abnormality develop from childhood. His†¦show more content†¦Freud (1923) divided the psyche into three parts. The first being the Id (unconscious mind). This is the largest part and is innate. It is the source our desires. It is selfish and operates on the pleasure principle and only wants the gratification it desires. The second is the Ego (Conscious mind). This is fully formed from around two years of age and develops from the Id. The Ego works on the reality principle and is concerned with keeping our thoughts and action s in step with the real world. The third is the Superego and contains moral values. Psychoanalysis had a very fixed set of assumptions that later psychodynamic theorists agreed with to different extents. One of the assumptions was the unconscious processes, where many important influences on behaviour come from the unconscious part of the mind, which we have no awareness of. Another assumption is psychodynamic conflict. This is where the different parts of the mind are in a constant struggle with each other and the consequences of the struggle are important in understanding behaviour. Freud also believed that that behaviour is motivated by emotional drives. Particularly sexual and aggressive drives. These drives create psychic energy that builds up if it cannot be released. Development is another of the assumptions, where personality is shaped by relationships,Show MoreRelatedPsychological Psychonormality : The Six Models Of Abnormality1028 Words   |  5 PagesThe six models of psychological abnormality detailed in this chapter each present a different set of a ssumptions and explanations for abnormal functioning. These models all interrupt a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and examine them as being caused or initiated by various and ranging factors. Although each model has its strengths, none can claim a full explanation of abnormal functioning and therefore, no one model can be deemed best or more correct than another. The model of psychologicalRead MoreA Comparison of Two Therapeutic Approaches to Mental Disorders913 Words   |  4 PagesDisorders The essence of the medical model is the view that abnormal behaviours like mental disorders result from physical problems and should be treated medically, in other words; mental disorders resemble physical diseases, in that they are both illness of the body. As a result, the medical approach would argue that mental illness and therapeutic action should be taken from the medical perspective. Whereas the psychodynamic approach concerning mental illness put Read MorePsychological Analysis of O.J. Simpsons Path to Infamy1101 Words   |  4 Pagesprison sentence (Biography.com, n.d.) O.J. Simpson’s abnormal behavior is one that is hard to diagnose because there is little evidence to strictly say why he did what he did, I will attempt to look and analyze his behavior through all of the Models of Abnormalities. Looking at the Biological perspective, O.J. could be seen with a chemical imbalance in his brain chemistry as a result of a lack of cortisol and serotonin, which could explain for his involvement in the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson andRead MoreThe Medical Model Of Psychopathology962 Words   |  4 Pagescriminal† (Joseph 1997). According to the medical model, the causes of mental illness may be biological in nature, or they might be psychosocial in nature. All that matters is that they can be known through the methods of empirical science. The medical model holds that mental illness can be treated and prevented by methods derived from scientific research. These kinds of analogies between physical and mental illness form the backbone of the medical model of psychopathology. It has not proved easy toRead MoreOcd Essay827 Words   |  4 Pagesthan the normal population of developing the disorder. In a meta-analysis of twin studies, Billett et al found that compared to non identical twins, identical twins are twice as likely to develop OCD if their twin also had OCD. However the biological model fails to recognise the importance of learning and developing disorders. This is ideology is discussed in the behavioural explanation of anxiety disorders. For example if an infant sees one of his parents committing compulsive acts they are likely toRead MoreYears Ago, If A Person Displayed Strange Ways Of Doing1647 Words   |  7 Pagesdiagnosed them using a model of behavior that coincided with the beliefs circulating throughout the cultural. For a while the main model of behavior was the demonological model. Medieval scientists and practitioners would see the abnormal person as possessed or being driven by the devil. Treatments for any behavior deemed abnormal ranged from prayers to public whipping in order to drive out the spirits. As society evolved and scientists began to experiment they developed several models for abnormal functioningRead MoreCognitive Theories And Theories Of Psychology1526 Words   |  7 Pagesorder to understand certain behavior. The most common approaches in psychology are psychodynamic, behavior, cognitive, humanistic, and biological approaches. The ultimate goal of each method is to help individuals change unhealthy thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. However, t hese different approaches use different techniques to form assumptions and explanations about abnormality. In this essay, cognitive and psychodynamic are the two approaches that will be discussed. Even though these two approachesRead MoreHistorical Perspective of Abnormal Psychology1014 Words   |  4 Pagesof mental disorder. The purpose of writing this paper is to explore the origin of the field of abnormal psychology, its evolution into scientific discipline and briefly discuss the different psychosocial, biological and socio-cultural theoretical models related to the development of abnormal psychology. Origins of Abnormal Psychology The field of abnormal psychology tuned out to be a scientific discipline in the last century but the introduction of the abnormal behaviour started as early in theRead MoreCognitive Behavioral And Psychodynamic Approach Essay863 Words   |  4 Pagesdarkness as a trigger for that events. Furthermore, splitting with his girlfriend may also have prompted him to feel lonely. This might have instilled fear on him, causing anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Biomedical, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic approach can be used alongside, as treatment methods to help Joseph with his disorder. Biomedical approach treats physical symptoms of disorder such as anxiety, panic attacks and depressions. It states the cause is due to physiological factorsRead MoreEssay about A Comparison of Two Schools of Psychology1007 Words   |  5 Pages The biological perspective and major figures such as Karl Lashley looks to the body to explain the mind, they look at hormones, genes, the brain, and the central nervous system to explain the way we think, feel and act. The psychodynamic perspective and major figures such as Sigmund Freud views behaviour as driven by powerful mental conflicts locked deep within the subconscious. The behaviourist perspective and major figures such as John Watson believe that behaviour