Week 1 DQ 1 The basic structure of psychoanalysis and psychodynamic theory revolve around the idea that mental processes are automatically regulated by “the pleasure principle” and avoidance of pain. Why are these principles important to psychotherapy? Support your reasoning. Week 1 DQ 2 What is research? How is scholarly research different from other kinds of research? What are the essential components of scholarly research? How will scholarly research help prepare you for writing your dissertation? Week 2 DQ 1 According to your readings, what is the relationship between the unconscious mind and ego defense mechanisms? Why are these relationships important? What are two defense mechanisms that you recognize in someone you know well and that they use predominantly? Why do you think they use these defense mechanisms? Week 2 DQ 2 Freud placed significant emphasis on the importance of dreams and their interpretation as a means of accessing the unconscious mind in relation to self-discovery. Do you agree with Freud’s view? Why or why not? Week 3 DQ 1 According to Freud, healthy adults successfully progress through the first four of five stages of psychosexual development and then persist in the final stage. Which stage of psychosexual development do you believe is the most influential in sexual identity? Why? Do you agree or disagree with Freudian theory as applied to gender identity issues? Why? Week 3 DQ 2 One of the keys of psychoanalytic theory is the idea that problems in one of the psychosexual stages could result in dysfunctional behavior later in life. Can the Freudian theory of psychosexual development be accurately applied to a contemporary society based upon the post-modern worldview? Why or why not? Week 4 DQ 1 Freud suggests that difficulty in any stage of development can cause abnormal sexual behavior. Do you agree? Why or why not? Week 4 DQ 2 From the psychodynamic viewpoint, the presence of an uncaring mother or the absence of a mother could adversely affect one or more stages of lifespan development.From a modern-day vantage point with its wealth of research and resources, will the presence of an uncaring mother or the absence of a mother necessarily affect the interpersonal relationships of an individual later in life? Why or why not? Week 5 DQ 1 Consider the concepts of resistance and transference from the psychoanalytic perspective. How might these concepts negatively affect a relationship? Explain. Are there ever positive effects from the application of one or both of these concepts? Why or why not? While not required, personal examples in support of your position are acceptable as a supplement to the scholarly research in this area depending on the extent to which you feel comfortable discussing such information. Week 5 DQ 2 Thanatophobia, sometimes called “death anxiety,” is the fear of one’s own death. From the psychoanalytic perspective, how would you relate to a family member who is fixated on this phobia? Why? Week 6 DQ 1 Psychotherapy as a treatment strategy for mental disorders has also been defined as “depth” psychology. Is this alternative term important in distinguishing this treatment strategy from others? Why or why not? Week 6 DQ 2 Psychotherapy has also been identified in the literature as “talk therapy.” Has talk therapy positively contributed to the growth of psychology as a helping science? Why or why not? Have other therapy strategies that are not related to talk therapy made more significant contributions than talk therapy to the growth of psychology as a helping science? Why or why not? Give examples. Week 7 DQ 1 Are Neo-Freudian theories such as those of Alfred Adler, Erich Fromm, Karen Horney, and Harry Stack Sullivan more valid than those of Freud? Why or why not? Support your position with one or more specific examples of distinguishing points of view or perspectives that differ from those of Freud. Week 7 DQ 2 Carl Jung was a close compatriot of Freud for many years, and they developed a very strong relationship. A major theoretical disagreement between the two created a split in their relationship. Does this historical perspective validate or invalidate the modern-day applicability of Neo-Freudian theories? Explain. Week 8 DQ 1 Freud’s theory is often misunderstood and readily dismissed in the contemporary era. In your opinion, is psychodynamic/psychoanalytic psychotherapy an effective strategy in dealing with people with mental disorders? Why or why not. No research is necessary in this response, but a reasoned response that creates a logical path to the conclusion is expected. Week 8 DQ 2 Become familiar with GCU’s Doctoral DNA website at www.gcu.edu/dna. What did you learn about your doctoral journey that you did not know before you visited the website? How will the doctoral DNA help you in preparation for your doctoral journey?
