Psychodynamic Theory

Definition

The psychodynamic theory is a perspective in psychology that asserts our behaviors are largely influenced by unconscious drives and experiences from our past, particularly childhood.

Analogy

Think of the mind as an iceberg. The tip of the iceberg that you can see above water represents conscious awareness. But there's a much larger part of the iceberg (the unconscious) hidden beneath the surface, influencing your thoughts, feelings, and behavior without you even realizing it.

Related terms

Freudian Psychology: This is a school of psychology founded by Sigmund Freud that focuses on unconscious influences, desires, and conflicts.

Unconscious Mind: This refers to the part of our mental processing that we're not aware of. It contains wishes, needs, desires or memories that have been repressed due to their threatening nature.

Defense Mechanisms: These are psychological strategies used by individuals unconsciously to cope with anxiety or stress.