Role of the Unconscious & Structure of Personality (AQA A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes
Role of the Unconscious & Structure of Personality
Introduction to the psychodynamic approach
The psychodynamic approach is a method of understanding mind and behaviour that views unconscious psychological processes and childhood experiences as fundamental in shaping adult personality and behaviour. This approach was founded by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, who developed psychoanalysis as a form of therapy to address mental conflicts arising from traumatic experiences.
As Freud famously stated: "Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways."
Other notable figures in psychodynamic psychology include Anna Freud, Alfred Adler, Carl Jung and Erik Erikson, who expanded upon Freud's original ideas.
Basic assumptions
The psychodynamic approach rests on three fundamental assumptions that distinguish it from other psychological perspectives:
1. Unconscious mind
The approach maintains that behaviour is primarily driven by the unconscious mind - thoughts that occur without any conscious awareness. When individuals exhibit problematic or challenging behaviours, psychodynamic theory suggests that we must examine the unconscious mind to understand the underlying causes.
The unconscious mind is considered more influential than the conscious mind in determining behaviour - this is a core principle that sets psychodynamic theory apart from other approaches.
2. Instincts and drives
This perspective argues that instincts and drives are the core motivators of human behaviour. We are driven by instinctual forces that operate throughout our development, influencing how our behaviour and personality unfold. For instance, the approach proposes we possess a sexual instinct from birth that guides us through various developmental stages until approximately age 12.
3. Early childhood experiences
The approach places enormous emphasis on early childhood as the foundation period for personality development. Most psychological development is believed to occur before the age of six, making these formative years crucial in determining who we become as adults.
Early childhood experiences are considered so influential that they can determine adult personality and behaviour patterns - even experiences we cannot consciously remember continue to affect us.
The role of the unconscious
The unconscious mind serves as the origin of behaviour and holds greater influence than the conscious mind. Freud used the iceberg model to illustrate this concept, drawing an analogy between an iceberg and the human mind.
The iceberg analogy is particularly powerful because it shows how most of our mental processes (like the bulk of an iceberg) remain hidden beneath the surface of conscious awareness.
Three levels of awareness
Conscious mind represents the tip of the iceberg above water - the part of our mind we are aware of and can readily access. This includes our current thoughts, feelings and perceptions.
Pre-conscious mind exists just below the surface, containing thoughts that are not currently in conscious awareness but can easily surface when needed. Many of our memories reside here, accessible but not actively in our thoughts. However, Freud noted that some thoughts may resist surfacing and could remain buried in deeper levels.
Unconscious mind forms the vast bulk of the iceberg beneath the surface. This level contains thoughts, memories and drives that are completely inaccessible to conscious awareness. The drives and instincts that motivate behaviour reside here, along with traumatic or highly unpleasant memories that continue to influence behaviour despite being hidden from conscious access.
The structure of personality
According to psychodynamic theory, our early experiences shape personality development through three distinct components that develop at different life stages. The interaction between these components - the id, ego and superego - determines how personality manifests and influences behaviour.
Id
The id forms from birth to approximately 18 months and operates according to the pleasure principle. This component represents the selfish, irrational and pleasure-seeking aspects of personality. The id is entirely focused on immediate gratification and seeks to satisfy its desires without consideration for reality or consequences. It is the childlike, hedonistic part of personality that simply wants what it wants when it wants it.
Ego
The ego develops between 18 months and 3 years of age and functions according to the reality principle. This rational, realistic component of personality seeks to balance the competing demands of the id and superego. The ego can delay the id's drive for immediate pleasure and serves as a mediating force between opposing internal pressures.
Neither the id nor the superego should become too dominant in a healthy personality, as this could negatively impact behaviour and mental health. The ego works to prevent such imbalances from occurring.
Superego
The superego is the final component to develop, emerging between approximately 3 and 6 years of age. It operates according to the morality principle and functions as an individual's conscience. The superego represents the opposite of the id - it experiences guilt and restrains someone from behaving in ways deemed morally wrong. This component helps individuals develop a moral code and ethical framework for decision-making.
These three personality elements are shaped through experience and continue to influence how someone behaves throughout their life. The psychodynamic approach suggests that much behaviour originates from the ongoing conflict and interaction between these three components.
Defence mechanisms
Defence mechanisms are unconscious strategies that individuals use to reduce anxiety and protect psychological wellbeing. These mechanisms become necessary because anxiety weakens the ego's ability to effectively mediate between the id and superego. When the ego becomes compromised, defence mechanisms automatically activate to maintain psychological balance and reduce internal conflict.
Common defence mechanisms include repression (pushing traumatic memories into the unconscious), denial (refusing to acknowledge reality) and displacement (redirecting emotions towards a safer target).
These strategies operate without conscious awareness but serve an important protective function in managing psychological distress.
Key Points to Remember:
- The psychodynamic approach emphasises that unconscious processes and childhood experiences shape adult personality and behaviour
- The unconscious mind, illustrated through the iceberg model, contains drives, instincts and traumatic memories that influence behaviour without our awareness
- Personality consists of three components: the pleasure-seeking id (birth-18 months), the realistic ego (18 months-3 years), and the moral superego (3-6 years)
- Defence mechanisms are unconscious strategies that protect the ego by reducing anxiety when internal conflicts become overwhelming
- Early childhood experiences (particularly before age 6) are considered pivotal in determining personality development and later psychological functioning