Synonyms
Definition
Psychodynamic theory is based on the idea that conscious and unconscious psychological processes exert dynamic effects on individuals’ behavior, feelings, and thoughts. These dynamics can be differentiated between primary and secondary processes, of which the former relates to unconscious mental activity and the latter is associated with conscious thought (Rycroft 1995).
Introduction
First mentioned in the Project for a Scientific Psychology (1895) and subsequently reintroduced in The Interpretation of Dreams (1900), Freud proposed that human psychological functioning consists of three levels of consciousness: the “Conscious” (Cs.), “Preconscious” (Pcs.), and “Unconscious” (Ucs.) systems. The conscious level relates to our immediate awareness, thoughts, and sense impressions of reality. The preconscious level relates to unconscious but not repressed information, including memories, knowledge, and sense impressions, which are...
References
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Cariola, L. (2017). Psychodynamic Processes. In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1416-2
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Psychodynamic Processes- Published:
- 05 May 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1416-2
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Psychodynamic Processes- Published:
- 08 April 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1416-1