Understanding Psychodynamic Theory within a Biopsychosocial Lens

This essay delves into Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic theory, emphasizing the role of the unconscious mind and past experiences in shaping human behavior. It highlights the theory's consideration of both nature and nurture, illustrated by personal examples related to relationships and gender roles. The essay also examines the biopsychosocial framework, detailing the interplay of biological, psychological, sociocultural, and life-cycle forces and their impact on individual health and well-being. It connects psychological forces with psychodynamic theory, particularly Freud's belief in the critical influence of early childhood experiences on adult psychological development, referencing the potential long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences. This assignment is available on Desklib, where students can find a wealth of solved assignments and study resources.

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Psychodynamic Theory
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Psychodynamic Theory
Part I
The Psychodynamic theory of human development was formulated by Sigmund Freud
(1856-1939), and over the years, it has undergone various developments (Bornstein, Maracic &
Natoli, 2018). The psychodynamic theory includes all other psychological theories that believe
an individual's interaction of forces and drivers are the major determinants of human functioning,
specifically unconscious and between different personality structures (developments (Bornstein,
Maracic & Natoli, 2018). The basic assumptions of the psychodynamic theory are that the
primary source of human behavior arises from the unconscious mind. This has equated the
human mind to an iceberg, indicating that the apparat that one cannot see is the most important.
This means that one's past experiences will influence our decisions, motives, and feelings stored
in an individual's unconscious mind.
The psychodynamic theory is fascinating given that it helps to bring to light to impact of
one's childhood on adult mental health and personality. In addition, the psychodynamic theory
also tries to provide an in-depth analysis of the innate drives that influence one's behavior. This
indicates that the psychodynamic theory accounts for both sides of the nature versus nurture
debate. This means that the theory supports a child's experiences and relationships will influence
the future adult outcomes while also supporting how the unconscious mental processes that an
individual is born with influence their behavior, feelings, and thoughts. A perfect example is my
new outlook when starting a new relationship. I will always use the old relationships in weighing
a new relationship, which helps me understand the new relationship dynamic. The focus on using
the old relationship as a benchmark for the new relationship has made me sometimes make
inaccurate inferences based on experience. In addition, having grown up in an environment

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where specific jobs are considered feminine, such as nurses, early childhood education
educators, hospitality, and secretaries, it is odd to see males taking up similar jobs.
Part II
The biopsychosocial framework is vital in understanding an individual's healthcare
delivery, illness, and health. Its primary focus is on the physiology and biology underlying
human health, behaviors influencing health, psychology of thoughts, and the impacts of culture
on health. (Gurung, 2014) The interaction of the four main forces; biological, psychological,
sociocultural and life-cycle, affects one uniquely.
The biological forces refer to the processes determined mainly by an individual's genetic
code or lifestyle factors (Gurung, 2014). An example of this force is my resemblance with my
parents, specifically my mother.
The psychological forces represent the characteristics used in describing an individual,
and the emotional personality determines the internal cognitive and other related factors
(Gurung, 2014). An example of this force would be when I had very low self-esteem back in
high school and felt inadequate. This led to avoidance of social interactions, and I was
considered a loner.
The social-cultural forces refer to the various social factors that might impact one's
behavior and health (Gurung, 2014). An example of this is when I had an injured arm making it
hard to care for my newborn baby, and by not fulfilling this role, I had problems with some
family members.
Life-cycle forces represent a combination of influences that might occur across one's lifetime.
An example of this would be living in the same neighborhood with a 20-year-old who is more
financially stable than me.

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Psychological forces have a relationship with the psychodynamic theory. Sigmund Freud
believed that establishing a child's personality occurs at five years of age. This means that if a
child is subjected to sexual abuse or deprived of childhood using other means, they will never
adjust or develop normally as they transition into adulthood. It has a negative impact on their
psychological well-being. This aligns with a psychodynamic theory that assumes one's childhood
experience can determine adulthood outcomes.

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References
Bornstein, R. F., Maracic, C. E., & Natoli, A. P. (2018). The psychodynamic perspective.
Gurung, R. A. R. (2014). Health Psychology: A Cultural Approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.