Nursing

In this essay the author will explain the key concepts of two major psychological theories of individual development. The author will also look at the evidence on how to support these two theories. And explain how these two theories relate to an individual’s health i.e. anxiety and how health care workers can utilize these theories to improve the health of each individual. Psychoanalysis is based on the theories of Sigmund Freud who was born in 1856; Freud worked with wealthy woman in Vienna who suffered from neurotic attacks. Freud postulated that humans had a topographic mind (Appendix 1). There are three parts of the mind; the conscious is a part of the mind which we are aware of. The preconscious is where we have memories, and thoughts which are temporarily forgotten. Although they can be brought to consciousness if necessary. Hidden below these is the unconscious, this was the part of the human psyche which kept conflict and traumas that occurred earlier in life (Hayes and Orrell 1988). He also saw the human personality or the mind as being composed of the different, but at the same time acting and working dimensions (Appendix 2) id; ego; superego; (Scottish Further Education Support Unit 2007). In Freud’s theory the ‘id’ is present from birth, and to selfishly think of our own wellbeing and happiness. The ‘id’ seeks to maximise our own pleasure without considering the consequences on how our own pleasure-seeking behaviour will affect others. The ‘superego’ on the other hand was to oppose the feelings and drives which came from the ‘id’ ‘superego’ are guilt driven. Then there is the ‘ego’. The ‘ego’ will look at what’s happening in the real world, and support either the ‘id’ position or the ‘superego’ position. The ‘ego’ act on reality principle (Scottish Further Education Support Unit 2007). Freud’s thoughts were that each individual also had his/her own personal history, he deliberated that the first five years of a child’s life made an impact on an adult’s personality (Hayes 1994). Particularly traumas that had been experienced in childhood seriously affected the behaviours of the adult. Not only does it affect the behaviour it can produce an unpleasant feeling of anxiety. Which can occur when the moral ‘superego’ is too overwhelming, or the impulsive ‘id’ is too insistent. The ‘ego’ can utilize techniques called defence mechanisms to keep these impulses and feelings out of consciousness and under control. Freud’s defence mechanisms include denial, displacement, projection, rationalization, regression, repression, and sublimation (Scottish Further Education Support Unit 2007). Defence mechanisms are methods which we use to cope with anxiety and stress. An example of a defence mechanism with someone that suffered from anxiety, which they use is repression. Where the problem is repressed into the unconscious allowing the person to protect their own psyche (Malim and Birch 1998). If the anxiety and the causes of it were to be ignored, when our feelings do rise it is likely that more stress and health problems will take place (Scottish Further Education Support Unit 2007). Anxiety is a general feeling of dread or apprehensiveness, which go together with different physiological reactions. Anxiety can become so overpowering that it can intervene with normal everyday functioning (Gross et al. 2001). Psychoanalysis is as set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders such as anxiety. The purpose of psychoanalysis was to bring repressed memories, fears and thoughts back to the conscious level of awareness (Scottish Further Education Support Unit 2007). Since Freud’s death he has left an astonishing intellectual legacy for the psychotherapists and psychologists of today. Whether it is of a positive or negative note, his theory remains a major source of both inspiration and contention (Fancher 1996). Psychiatry still derives much from Freud’s work and his postulations, however although Freud provides an explanation as to how our minds work, he had no direct evidence to support his claims. Freud’s theory is based on assumption rather than provable facts which caused fundamental problem (Scottish Further Education Support Unit 2007). However from a behaviourist’s point of view, they believe we were all born a ‘blank slate’. They see the human personality as by learning, and experiences of the environment around them. A behaviourist would agree that a behaviour which is learnt can be unlearnt. One of the main learning processes is called classical conditioning. Many experiments were used on humans and animals. They were performed by behaviourists such as Watson, Thorndike, and Pavlov (Sanders 2002). Ivan Pavlov a Russian psychologist who studied salivation in a hungry dog, in which food was presented to the dog causing it to salivate which produced an unconditioned response (Appendix 3). This was followed by ringing a bell at the same time as the food was placed. Eventually ringing the bell alone stimulated salivation, which produced a conditioned response. This was known as classical conditioning which is when two events which are linked happen at the same time (Alder 2004). From a behaviourist point of view anxiety can be treated by using the method called classical conditioning, which is used to reduce fear and anxiety. (Hayes 1998) Classical conditioning is a form of learning in a way which we connect a particular response with a particular stimulus; (Hayes 1998). An alternate treatment based on classical conditioning that can be used on various mental disorders is called systematic desensitization. You would treat the patient by gradually exposing them to what they fear most, that would trigger of an anxiety attack. Then you would replace the anxiety with a relaxed condition. This can be done by reassurance or relaxation training (Alder 2004) The behaviourist approach has contributed a huge amount to our understanding of psychological functioning, and they have also provided a lot of skills for changing unwanted behaviour. However they also have passed judgment on for treating probable symptoms of mental disorder i.e. anxiety. Behaviourists tend to ignore the underlying causes. Not all behavioural therapies are still widely used (Malim and Birch 1998). In conclusion the author has examined both theories of individual development, and how they can help a patient with a mental disorder. However looking back over this essay, individual styles of treating the health problem can conclude that no one theory is better than the other. As they all have their place and usefulness in treating anxiety. A benefit to a health care worker of today is that they can begin to learn and understand why an individual behaves in a way s/he does. ;