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 psychoanalytic approach had a great impact on

psychology and psychiatry and was developed by other psychodynamic

theorists.

Psychoanalysis had a very fixed set of assumptions. One of these is

the unconscious processes where many important influences on behaviour

come from a part of the mind we have no awareness of called the

unconscious. Another assumption is psychodynamic conflict. Different

parts of the mind are in constant struggle with each other and the

consequences of this are important in understanding behaviour. Freud

also believed that behaviour is motivated by sexual and aggressive

drives. The drives create psychic energy that builds up and create

tension and anxiety if it cannot be released. Another assumption is

development where personality is shaped by relationships, experiences

and conflict, particularly during childhood.

Freud’s psychoanalysis is probably the most important psychodynamic

theory. His ideas developed a...

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...century. It has had a significant effect on a wide

range of disciplines such as anthropology, women’s studies and

theology.

Also, the sharp distinction between abnormality and normality of the

biological model is ignored. Doing this, it has created more sympathy

for people with psychological disorders. Psychoanalysis is more humane

with its focus on talking as opposed to drugs, shock therapy or brain

surgery. It also has the power to enhance our understanding of

ourselves and from the number of people who testify how it has helped

them in their own lives.

In conclusion, the psychodynamic model is useful as it is still being

used today by professional psychiatrists and works with many people.

However, there are a lot of weaknesses to outweigh the positives,

which means that the model can be seriously questioned.