In psychoanalytic terms, the activities of the mind (or psyche) are presumed to be largely unconscious. Psychodynamic theorists contend that the majority of psychological processes take place outside conscious awareness. Moreover, these assumptions are unique to the psychodynamic framework: No other theories of personality accept these three ideas in their purest form. The core assumptions of psychodynamic theory are surprisingly simple. Core Assumptions of the Psychodynamic Perspective We then discuss the place of psychodynamic theory within contemporary psychology, and look toward the future as well. We begin with a brief discussion of the core assumptions of psychodynamic theory, followed by an overview of the evolution of the theory from FreudвЂ™s time to today. This module reviews the psychodynamic perspective on personality. It is simply too important for psychological science and practice, and continues to play an important role in a wide variety of disciplines within and outside psychology (for example, developmental psychology, social psychology, sociology, and neuroscience see Bornstein, 2005, 2006 Solms & Turnbull, 2011). Few theories in psychology have evoked such strong reactions from other professionals and members of the public.Д¬ontroversy notwithstanding, no competent psychologist, or student of psychology, can ignore psychodynamic theory. When he suggested in 1905 that we humans have strong sexual feelings from a very early age, and that some of these sexual feelings are directed toward our parents, people were more than displeased-they were outraged ( Freud, 1905/1953b). As you might imagine, when Freud suggested in 1900 that much of our behavior is determined by psychological forces of which weвЂ™re largely unaware-that we literally donвЂ™t know whatвЂ™s going on in our own minds-people were (to put it mildly) displeased ( Freud, 1900/1953a). FreudвЂ™s work has been not only influential, but quite controversial as well. Psychodynamic theory is most closely associated with the work of Sigmund Freud, and with psychoanalysis, a type of psychotherapy that attempts to explore the patientвЂ™s unconscious thoughts and emotions so that the person is better able to understand him- or herself.ДЇreudвЂ™s work has been extremely influential, its impact extending far beyond psychology (several years ago Time magazine selected Freud as one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century). Psychodynamic theory (sometimes called psychoanalytic theory) explains personality in terms of unconscious psychological processes (for example, wishes and fears of which weвЂ™re not fully aware), and contends that childhood experiences are crucial in shaping adult personality.

According to psychodynamic theory, a lot of our behaviors and preferences of adulthood are shaped by the experiences in our childhood. It can help you understand why you chose not to study for that test, or why you ran the other way when the person of your dreams entered the room. If youвЂ™ve ever done something that didnвЂ™t seem to make sense-and who among us hasnвЂ™t-the psychodynamic perspective on personality might be useful for you. Or maybe you spotted a person you liked across the room-someone about whom you had romantic feelings-but instead of approaching that person you headed the other way (and felt ashamed about it afterward). Have you ever done something that didnвЂ™t make sense? Perhaps you waited until the last minute to begin studying for an exam, even though you knew that delaying so long would ensure that you got a poor grade. Discuss current trends in psychodynamic theory.

Identify psychodynamic concepts that have been supported by empirical research.Define the concept of ego defense, and give examples of commonly used ego defenses.Describe the major models of personality within the psychodynamic perspective.

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