Psycho-dynamic Approach:

The psychodynamic perspective includes all the theories in psychology Freuds psychoanalysis was the original psychodynamic theory, but the psychodynamic approach as a whole includes all theories that were based on his ideas, e.g. Jung (1964), Adler (1927) and Erikson (1950). Sigmund Freud (writing between the 1890s and the 1930s) developed a collection of theories which have formed the basis of the psychodynamic approach to psychology.

Psychodynamic Approach Assumptions

Our behaviour and feelings are powerfully affected by unconscious motives.
They are rooted in our childhood experiences. All behaviour has a cause

Personality is made up of three parts (i.e. tripartite). The id, ego and super-ego.

 Behaviour is motivated by two instinctual drives: Eros (the sex drive & life instinct) and Thanatos (the aggressive drive & death instinct). Both these drives come from the id.
Parts of the unconscious mind (the id and superego) are in constant conflict with the conscious part of the mind (the ego). Personality is shaped as the drives are modified by different conflicts at different times in childhood (during psychosexual development).

Basis of the Approach

The approach is built on clinical observation, research and reflections It is based on the assumption that individuals are unaware of the many factors that cause their behaviour and emotions.

These unconscious factors have the potential to produce unhappiness

Methodology
Case Studies (Little Hans) Dream Analysis Free Association Projective Tests (TAT, Rorschach)

Slips of the Tongue (parapraxes)

Hypnosis

Areas of Application
Gender Role Development
Therapy (Psychoanalysis)

Attachment (Bowlby)
Moral Development (super-ego)

Aggression (Displacement Thanatos)

Personality (Erickson, Freud)

Common Steps To Psychodynamic Approach

Step 1 The client speaks to the therapist as a result of free associations, results of transference, dream interpretation, and the patients' slips and parapraxes.

 Step 2 Hypotheses are formed explaining the current psychological state based on the clients past.

Step 3 The client is allowed to come to the conclusions themselves.

Psychodynamic Approach Criticisms

It is unscientific in its analysis of human behaviour -Many of the concepts central to Freud's theories are subjective and as much impossible to scientifically test. Most of the evidence for psychodynamic theories is taken from Freud's case studies -The main problem here is that the case studies are based on studying one person in detail, and with reference to Freud the individuals in question are most often middle aged women from Vienna (i.e. his patients). This makes generalizations to the wider population (e.g. the whole world) difficult. The humanistic approach makes the criticism that the psychodynamic perspective is too deterministic - leaving little room for the idea of personal agency