Psychodynamic Theory Essay Example for Free

Psychodynamic Theory EssayWhat Psychodynamic Theory Has to Contri stille to Our Understanding of focus in a Multicultural Society?If counsellors be to discern genuinely well their clients of diverse backgrounds or culture and their place in a multicultural society, psychodynamic theory whitethorn be particularly encouraging in this respect. Theories and techniques used in charge argon diverse and it is strident for counsellors to know how to use their experience of psychodynamic theory in ideaualising systems for both counselling and therapy.In psychodynamic therapy, which is an approach in counselling based on psychoanalytic theories, it is postulated that certified and unconscious(p) influences mold hu while behavior and social births. This plan of the unconscious is lots associated with Sigmund Freud whose contribution in psychoanalysis ordure not be discounted. Psychoanalytic theory though, is not totally Freudian. Freuds brilliant ideas and theories, were cont roversial. His theories were under attack from numerous directions and it was a good thing though that from his perspectives, m many(prenominal) other psychoanalytic theories emerged as well.Carl Jung was famous for his incarnate unconscious and his oriental approach was unorthodox for westbound psychoanalytic theorists. D.D. Winnicotts transitional objects and good- enough mothering for instance, are interesting contributions to psychoanalysis as well.It should be fascinate to explore these theorists contribution to systems and approaches of multicultural counselling. In as much as these theorists perspectives seem to have several(predicate) or even conflicting orientations, we may have the chance to look upon their theories, in many ways, complementary color in the practice of counselling in a multicultural society. Their theories can prove to be effectual at any distributor point in counselling (or therapy) sessions in soul clients, their unique history, single concer ns, and understanding their behavior, the impact of their past experiences to their present condition in life history, and some of their underlying motives and beliefs.Sigmund Freud Psychoanalytic approaches to therapy and counselling originated from the whole works of Sigmund Freud. He viewed that people are driven by unconscious influences, a part of their inner human of which they are not aware of. He theorised that repressed unconscious thoughts and feelings could manifest through dreams, fantasies and odd behavior.Until afterward these repressed forbidden appetencys, hurtful memories and experiences are brought to conscious awareness, these were presumed to lead to irrational and maladaptive behavior. Based on this concept, effective counsellors can effectively draw upon these repressed thoughts and emotions through psychotherapy to ease their clients depression or anxiety and to rebuild their clients ego-esteem. Freuds concept of eros (sexual and life instincts) and tha natos (aggressive and death instincts) are considered move factors of genius, with the term libido referring to basic energy of life associated with Eros. Troubled privates may manifest death instincts through destructive behavior such as, alcoholism, substance abuse, aggression (towards self or others), and even suicide. Freud theorised that the individuals behavior is assumed to result from the interaction of three components of the fiberlity id, ego, and superego. The id is utter to be the source of instinctual drives and operate in terms of the pleasure principle. It is capable of eliciting mental images and wish-fulfilling fantasies (Coleman, 1980). The second picturelity component is the ego, which intercedes between the demands of the id and the external world, and operates in terms of the reality principle. For instance, Freud believed that sexual or aggressive tendencies are in conflict with societys rules and prohibitions. It was clever of Freud to introduce the thir d personality component, which is the superego, or usually known as conscience. If one has learned and adapted to the moral demands of society, the individual would have a mend grasp of what is right from wrong. The superego serves as personalitys system of control to inhibit immoral desires. Freud believed in the interplay between the id, ego and superego, and how it becomes crucial to behavior. Inner conflicts may overturn because the id, ego and superego are striving for different goals. Inner conflicts could manifest as a mental disorder if not resolved.Another important psychoanalytic concept of Freud is defense mechanisms. For him, whatever pains or anxieties are eased by distorting reality, if one can not deal with it rationally (Coleman, et.al., p. 54). Therefore, an individuals distorted perception of reality poses behavior problems. This just now happens though when the ego can no longer cope with the pain or anxiety by rational measures.Freuds contribution to pauseme ntal psychology is his theory on five Psychosexual stages the oral, anal, phallic, latency, and venereal stages. He believed that these stages of development could determine ones defenses, anxieties, and impulses. A baby who has been deprived of fully experiencing any of these stages may suffer fixation at that stage of development. The first three stages of development, the oral, anal, and phallic stages, are the virtually crucial, as ones personality is molded at this time. If fixation happens at any point during this period, hence the nipper would credibly develop distinct personality type.From birth to 1 year (oral stage), the lecture is the principal erogenous zone and it is assumed that an infants greatest source of gratification is sucking. If the primary care allow forr is overindulgent or depriving, then the child is likely to develop fixation at this stage. Some traits associated with overindulgence are optimism, manipulativeness, boldness and admiration. On the o ther hand, deprivation would lead to traits such as pessimism, suspiciousness, self-belittlement, passivity, and jealousy. Further, as Freud theorised, fixation at this stage, or when the individual did not receive adequate oral gratification during infancy, the individual is predisposed to undue drinking or eating in adult life.When the child is about 18 months to 3 days (anal stage), the anus and rectum are considered to be the primary sources of pleasure. Either an excessive demand or permissiveness from a childs phencyclidine hydrochloride, will lead to the development of anal personality. Other psychological problems that are thought to arise from this stage are obsessive-compulsivity and paranoia.During the phallic stage, or when the child is about 3 to 6 years old, the penis or clitoris is assumed to be the major source of pleasurable sensation. At this stage, the child learns to ascertain the genitals and becomes curious about the opposite sex. Curiously enough, Freud al so believed that it is at this stage when the child develops intemperate sexual feelings for the advance of the opposite sex, or otherwise known as Oedipus and Electra complex. The Oedipal complex is the perception that boys desire to possess their mother.Freud thought that boys have incestuous cravings for their mother, even sees their father as rival, but they have hero-worship that the father will harm them (castration anxiety). Likewise, the Electra complex is the assumption that girls desire their father, and want to replace their mother. The fear of the same-sex parent leads to sublimation of their sexual attraction for the opposite sex parent into non-sexual love, and they learn to identity instead to their same-sex parent. For either sex, it imperative for them to resolve the conflict, such that when they enter young adulthood stage, they are likely to have a right heterosexual relationship.In the years from 6 to 12 (latency stage), sexual motivations are put aside and t he child channels his energy into school, play, shared activities with friends, and sports.Finally, the genital stage, which is from puberty onwards, the deepest feelings of pleasure come from heterosexual relations. At this stage, the individual channels his energy into socially acceptable ventures such as entering into romantic relationships, establishing friendships, career planning and also some recreational activities.Freuds cathartic hypnosis was popular during his time, but more than than the technique of hypnosis as a therapeutic cure to psychological illnesses, was his concept that feelings were drawn from the unconscious. His contribution stands out in the knowingness that he was the one who developed techniques such as free association and dream analysis in dealing with both the conscious and unconscious aspects of mental health. Freud emphasized the role of the unconscious motives and ego-defense systems, and the importance of aboriginal childhood experiences in the personality adjustment and maladjustment of adults, as well as the relevance of sexual factors in human behavior and mental disorders (Coleman, et.al., p. 57).Freuds techniques now used in contemporary psychodynamic counselling provide much deeper understanding of the (clients) self, and can prove to be helpful in emotional, spiritual development and self-awareness.Carl Jung wiz of the most original and controversial features of Jungs theory on personality was the concept of collective unconscious. He theorised the existence of universally shared motives, drives, potentials, fears and symbols that human beings have more or less the same collective unconscious. Collective unconscious is defined as the storehouse of latent memory traces inherited from ones ancestral past (Hall Lindzey, 1978, p. 119). Simply put, with this theory, there is probability of reviving experiences of past generations. Humans are born(p) with many predisposition for thinking, feeling, and perceiving accor ding to definite patterns and contents that become actualized through individualized experiences (Hall Lindzey). If Freuds unconscious mind is often associated with repressed forbidden desires, hurtful memories and experiences, Jungs collective unconscious is a enormous resource of subliminal contents and potential, which includes the wisdom and experience of uncounted centuries, and laid down in its archetypical organs (Jung, cited in Hall Lindzey, p.120). The collective unconscious can then serve a very good purpose to the individual. But, if this ignored by the ego, the unconscious may disrupt the conscious rational processes by seizing hold of them and twisting them into distorted forms (Hall Lindzey, p.120). Instances of irrational behavior could arise such as phobias and delusions. Jung believed that the individual achieves completeness or wholeness only as fantasies, images and dreams from the personal and collective unconscious become accessible to the conscious self (C oleman, et.al., p.58). Jungs concept of archetypes refers to patterns of behavior within the unconscious mind. The most common of these archetypes are the persona, shadow, self, and anima and animus.The persona is tantamount to the social personality the face an individual has in his social relationships. A healthy persona could then mean good adaptation to the demands of society or the environment where one belongs. In some respects, Jungs concept of the persona is similar to Freuds superego.The shadow has some resemblance to Freuds concept of the id. It is considered the hidden or dark side of personality that sometimes the individual is not even aware of. This part of the psyche would be difficult to accept. If a certain trait of another distress an individual, then this could be a reflection of his shadow. Traits such as laziness, attention-seeking, anger expression, etc., are usually kept from consciousness and is often projected to others.The self can be considered the sum t otal of ones personality, the motivating factor of human behavior that causes one to constantly strive and attain wholeness. It was Jungs view that the self can only emerge only if various aspects of the personality have fully developed (known as individuation) (Hall Lindzey, p. 124). Thus, this does not happen until one has reached middle age when one begins to make a serious thrust to change the center of personality from the conscious ego to one that is midway between consciousness and syncope (Hall Lindzey).Jung believed that one takes the journey toward individuation, spending almost half of his life individuating, and the second integrating. This concept has direct industriousness and relevance to career counselling. Notice that most individuals who reach middle age begin to have more focus and sense of purpose, not wasting their time and energy where they do not fit or are not welcome, and extending effort only in activities that will lead them to their true calling.Some what parallel of latitude to Freuds Oedipus and Electra complex which prove relevant to understanding ones heterosexual adjustment is Jungs anima and animus. This is much like the yin and yang of the Chinese, the masculine and feminine side of human personality.The role of biological hormones cannot be discounted, but from a Jungian perspective, this is more considered to be a product of racial experiences of man with woman and ungodliness versa. Jungs anima and animus may be of relevance in understanding man-woman relationships in a counselling setting. Man is supposed to apprehend the nature of woman by virtue of his anima, and woman apprehends the nature of man by virtue of her animus (Hall Lindzey, p. 123), and without regard to the real character of the other, their relationship will most likely lead to discord.Donald Winnicott The influential concepts of transitional objects, the good-enough mother and the true and false self are attributed to Winnicott.A transitional objec t is some sort of a security blanket for a child. It could be a front-runner stuffed toy, baby blanket, pillow or any symbolic object that a child finds comfort in having. A transitional object helps a child cope with fear while their principal caregiver is away. The most influential person (object) during a childs development would be the principal caregiver. In a counselling setting, the counselor serves as the transitional object, who gradually helps his client overcome frustrations and develop greater independence over time.The good-enough mother pertains to the principal caregiver whose parenting style fit the childs developmental needs. Winnicott believed that caregivers have to be good-enough in providing the childs needs, but not too much. They have to memorize children as well to tolerate frustrations, and teach them the lesson of independence and self-sufficiency.Winnicott theorized that childrens needs, if not adequately met, could help develop a false self (this is som ehow identical to Freuds concept of fixation). On the other hand, when childrens needs are adequately provided, then, they are likely to develop a true self. A relationship based on trust, a relationship that is more real, will grow between the caregiver and the child. This concept may apply to counselor (or therapist)-client relationship. An effective counselor knows how to provide a safe holding environment for his client, and is adaptive to his clients needs. The counselor knows how to respond to his clients emotions with warmth and empathy, thus fate his client reveal his true self.ReferencesColeman, James C., James N. Butcher and Robert C. Carson. Abnormal Psychology and Modern feeling (6th ed.). Illinois Scott, Foresman and Company.Dakai, S.H. (2003). Addiction Counseling Examination of Various Addiction Counselingand Therapy Approaches. Journal of Addictive Disorders. Breining Institute.Hall, Calvin S. and Lindzey Gardner (1980). Theories of Personality (3rd ed.). unsanded YorkJohn Wiley Sons.McGinnis, James D. and Kenneth R.Thomas (1991). The Psychoanalytic Theories of D.W. Winnicott as Applied to Rehabilitation. The Journal of Rehabilitation. 1 July 1991