Explain how the psychodynamic approach understands personality.

The psychodynamic approach understands personality as being shaped by unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences.

According to the psychodynamic approach, personality is shaped by unconscious conflicts and experiences from childhood. It is believed that our early experiences, particularly with our parents or caregivers, shape our personality and behaviour. These experiences can create unconscious conflicts that influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviour throughout our lives.

The psychodynamic approach also emphasises the role of the unconscious mind in shaping personality. This includes the id, ego, and superego, which are different parts of the unconscious mind that influence our behaviour. The id represents our primitive desires and instincts, while the superego represents our moral and ethical values. The ego mediates between the two and helps us balance our desires and values.

Furthermore, the psychodynamic approach suggests that personality is influenced by defence mechanisms, which are unconscious strategies we use to protect ourselves from anxiety. Examples of defence mechanisms include repression, denial, projection, and displacement.

Overall, the psychodynamic approach provides a complex understanding of personality that emphasises the role of unconscious conflicts, childhood experiences, and defence mechanisms in shaping our behaviour and emotions.