Psychodynamic paradigm in psychological theory and practice

Psychodynamic Approach or Paradigm

The Psychodynamic Approach incorporates theories and methods originating with Freud and expanded by his followers. Freud's original approach was referred to as Psychoanalysis; which can be considered both a theory as well as a therapy method. The Psychodynamic Approach is founded upon the influence that internal processes and past experience have in determining a person's personality. These theorists believe that behavior is driven by individual's unconscious urges not necessarily rational thought. One intuitive illustration of this can be found in the contemporary field of marketing. Advertisements rarely appeal to the rational side of consumers by offering information about products; instead they target to the emotional needs and wants of individuals (Samuel, 2010).

Freud's theories developed from interactions what his patients during treatment sessions. These interactions led Freud to believe that adult behavior is driven by instinctual impulses and desires that originated in their childhood. Most of these impulses stem from sexual desires and but also represent behaviors that are generally prohibited by society. Therefore such impulses are kept hidden by using defense mechanisms such as repression or suppression (Boag, 2010).

Furthermore, in order to uncover these repressed unconscious wishes and desires, which for Freud were the underlying cause of adult neuroses, the use psychoanalysis was the only way to identify such hidden aspects of personality and behaviors. The aim of this approach was to let repressed emotions surface into the realm of conscious where in order to be properly addressed. There are various approaches that can be used to try to uncover what goes on in the unconscious; for example, dream analysis, free association, clinical interviews, and analysis of episodes of a slip of the tongue.

Newer psychodynamic perspectives inevitably progressed from Freud's original work. His daughter Anna Freud (1895-1982), following in her father's footsteps, pioneered the psychoanalytical treatment of children by focusing on the ego (Taylor, 2009). She believed the ego was an important organizing role in personality development. Henry Stack Sullivan (1892-1953) also emphasized the role of early childhood relationships in shaping the self-concept (Taylor, 2009) .The interpersonal role is based largely on Sullivan's who believed that personality had meaning only in relation to interaction with others,