Psychodynamic Theories: Learning Difficulties and Misconceptions

Psychodynamic theories which are Psychoanalysis as developed by Sigmund Freud and Analytical Psychology as developed by Carl Gustav Jung are the cornerstones of the field of psychology. These theories play a significant role in understanding the structure of personality. Psychodynamic theories are also important for students to comprehend these theories for their later job experiences. Teachers who know the significance of this topic will lay emphasis on psychodynamic theories in undergraduate students. In order to comprehend the topic better, students’ misconceptions and learning difficulties about psychodynamic theories should be taken into consideration.

Students’ misconceptions generally arise from empirical support for the concepts (Yalof, 2015). Sometimes, the concept that explaining everything about human behavior in Psychodynamic theory causes problems (Dean, 2002). Although misconceptions are significant for teachers to be careful about, there are also learning difficulties about the topic which is derived from too many notions in each theory.

Misconceptions about Psychodynamic Theories

Because psychodynamic theories are very important for understanding the structure of personality, it is significant for students to comprehend the subject very well. One of the most encountered misconceptions is that they are unscientific in their human behavior analysis and especially, Freud’s Psychoanalysis theory is very subjective and difficult to test empirically (McLeod, 2007). Therefore, there is a possibility of incomprehension in students for the concept in terms of its scientific background.

Another misconception that can be seen in junior students is that the theories, especially Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory explain everything about personality and human behavior which is almost impossible (Vygotsky, 1979). Students may not comprehend the subject well. It should be told to students when the criticism part comes, that the comprehensiveness of these theories is very abstract in the psychology field.

Learning Difficulties with Psychodynamic Theories

There is a specific learning difficulty that is supported scientifically. Nevertheless, there may be a situation of confusing the concepts of two theories one of which belongs to Freud and the other does Jung. There are too many notions in each theory which is enough for students to become confused. This situation can make difficult to learning process.

These researchers and studies show that there are some misconceptions about the topic of Psychodynamic Theories. Not being an empirical support and explaining everything about human behavior can cause misunderstanding in junior students. There is also a possibility of making the learning difficult which is the result of too many concepts in each theory. Due to the importance of comprehending Psychodynamic Theories to be successful in later job experiences, teachers should be aware of these difficulties and shape their instructional plan according to them.

References

Yalof, J. (2015). Teaching psychoanalytic concepts in the university setting: Issues, challenges, and promises. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 35(sup1), 124-134.

McLeod, S. (2007). Psychodynamic approach. Simply Psychology.

Dean, R. G. (2002). Teaching contemporary psychodynamic theory for contemporary social work practice. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 73(1), 11-27.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1979). Consciousness as a problem in the psychology of behavior. Soviet psychology, 17(4), 3-35.