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Updated Mar 20, 2026

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Understanding Key Approaches in Psychology

Zed

@zknowunity

Ready to tackle two major psychological approaches that'll definitely come... Show more

The Psychodynamic Approach

Ever wondered why you sometimes act in ways that surprise even yourself? The psychodynamic approach suggests it's all down to your unconscious mind - the hidden part of your brain that influences everything you do without you realising it.

Freud's famous theory breaks your personality into three parts: the id $your pleasure-seeking, impulsive side$ , the superego (your moral conscience that makes you feel guilty), and the ego (the referee that tries to balance them both). These develop through psychosexual stages in childhood - oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital - where conflicts can shape your adult personality.

When these parts clash, your ego uses defence mechanisms like repression (burying traumatic memories), denial (refusing to accept reality), and displacement (taking anger out on the wrong person). These happen automatically to protect you from anxiety.

Quick Exam Tip: Remember the acronym "IDE" - Id wants pleasure, Determination (ego) seeks reality, Ethics (superego) demands morality.

The approach struggles with scientific credibility since you can't exactly measure the unconscious mind in a lab. Critics like Popper argue it's pseudoscience because it can't be proven wrong. However, it's brilliant at explaining everything from mental health issues to why you accidentally called your teacher "mum" (Freudian slip, anyone?). Plus, it genuinely helped society understand psychological distress better.

Humanistic Psychology

Forget being controlled by unconscious forces - humanistic psychology believes you're the boss of your own life! This approach celebrates free will and argues that you have the power to choose your path, regardless of your biology or circumstances.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is like a ladder you climb towards becoming your best self. Start with basic needs (food, safety), move up to psychological needs $love, self-esteem$ , and eventually reach self-actualisation - basically becoming the person you're truly meant to be.

Rogers focused on the gap between your actual self and your ideal self. When these match up (congruence), you're sorted. But conditions of worth - when you only get love for behaving certain ways - can mess this up. That's why client-centred therapy offers unconditional positive regard, accepting you completely as you are.

Remember This: Humanistic = Humans have potential. It's optimistic psychology that believes in your ability to grow and change.

Whilst the therapy works well for many people, the approach gets criticism for cultural bias - its focus on individual achievement doesn't fit collectivist cultures that prioritise group needs. The biggest problem? Concepts like self-actualisation are nearly impossible to test scientifically, making it seem more like philosophy than psychology to some critics.

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Psychology

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353

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Updated Mar 20, 2026

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2 pages

Understanding Key Approaches in Psychology

Zed

@zknowunity

Ready to tackle two major psychological approaches that'll definitely come up in your exams? The psychodynamic and humanistic approaches offer completely different views on what drives human behaviour - one focuses on unconscious conflicts from childhood, whilst the other celebrates... Show more

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The Psychodynamic Approach

Quick Exam Tip: Remember the acronym "IDE" - Id wants pleasure, Determination (ego) seeks reality, Ethics (superego) demands morality.

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Humanistic Psychology

Remember This: Humanistic = Humans have potential. It's optimistic psychology that believes in your ability to grow and change.

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Basil

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David K

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Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

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Android user

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iOS user

Stefan S

iOS user

Samantha Klich

Android user

Anna

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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

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Basil

Android user

David K

iOS user

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

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Rohan U

Android user

Xander S

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Elisha

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Paul T

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