Psychodynamic Concepts/Constructs

Id Unorganised part of the personality structure that contains the instinctual urges and drives. The id acts according to the pleasure principle, seeking to avoid pain or displeasure aroused by increases in instinctual tension. It is unconscious and contrary impulses exist side by side. Ego Acts according to the reality principle it seeks to please the ids drive in realistic and long term ways. As the ego attempts to mediate between the id and reality it is obliged to cloak the Ucs. commands of the id with its own Pcs. rationalisations. Organised part of the personality structure that includes defensive, perceptual, intellectual-cognitive, and executive functions. Ego represents reason and common sense. Mediates between the id, the superego and the demands of the outside world and as such struggles with the conflicting forces driven by the id, confined by the super-ego, repulsed by reality. Super-ego The conscience, influenced by social values and morals. The successful instance of identification with the parental agency. Super-ego strives to act in a socially appropriate manner. Controls our sense of right and wrong and guilt. Super-egos demands often oppose the id, causing conflict. Ego defence mechanisms Unconscious psychological strategies to deal with conflict. Conflict can be when id impulses are in conflict with each other, when id impulses are in conflict with super-ego values and beliefs, and when an external threat is posed to the ego. These are pathologic when they lead to maladaptive behaviour such that the physical and/or mental health of the individual is adversely affected. Denial Displacement An unconscious defence mechanism where the mind redirects affects (emotions, ideas, wishes) from an object felt to be dangerous or unacceptable to an object felt to be safe or acceptable. Projection A form of displacement where the reciprocal object is another person. Intellectualisation Fantasy

Compensation Rationalisation Reaction formation Regression Repression Emotions and feelings too disturbing to face are pushed into the unconscious. Sublimation Undoing Suppression Dissociation Idealisation Identification Introjection Inversion Somatisation Splitting Substitution Unconscious impulse

Objects/object relations Internal and external objects Transference Unconscious redirection of feelings and desires from one person to another an inappropriate repetition in the present of a relationship that was important in the persons past (childhood). Transference can be seen to be pathological when it exists in a context that is personally or socially harmful. Counter-transference Personal counter-transference - narrow perspective - reacting to the patient according to your own psychological makeup Diagnostic counter-transference/diagnostic response - client's transference pressuring therapist to play role congruent with the client's internal world, but therapists reaction is coloured by their own Affective modulation/Emotional dysregulation Labile mood or mood swings.