A Psychology Primer: Psychodynamics

April 1st, 2008 by lynnylchan under Comments and School Life

I’m sure I’ve mentioned that I’m a psychology major before, but I’m also just as sure that many of my readers have no idea what we really study in the field. It’s not all peering inside people’s minds and figuring them out - just as much time is spent figuring out the human mind in general, and not just creeping out particular individuals by making predictions about them.

In order to shed some light on this popular but misunderstood academic discipline, I shall begin writing a series, based on my limited knowledge. As Freud seems to be the main figure/scapegoat in the public perception, we shall start with the field he pioneered, now called psychodynamics.

The main crux of psychodynamics is that our behaviour is influenced by unconscious processes, and that abnormal behaviour or emotional distress can be relieved by bringing these unconscious processes to light, thus allowing the client to be in control of them.

Another school of thought within psychodynamics postulates that early relationships form the child’s inner world (i.e. thought patterns and ways of perception) and that these relationships set a pattern for future, adult relationships. To give a real-world example, a child who was mostly neglected will always expect to be neglected by future partners, along with a self-perception of being unlovable or unworthy. Hence the popularity of the cliched “tell me about your mother” view of psychodynamics.

Those who disbelieve psychology because they disagree with Freud’s sex-fixated approach can take it easy, because psychodynamics leaves behind the sexy bits and focuses more on the unconscious processes. So, your psychodynamic therapist isn’t watching your every word or action to find one that will pinpoint you as some sort of sexual pervert. As Freud himself said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

This concludes part 1 of A Psychology Primer. Keep checking back for more instalments, and feel free to ask questions concerning the field!