Question

Explain why biasness and subjectivity can be considered a challange refering Psychodynamic theory.

Answer 1

• Psychodynamic approach uses the case study method to identify and understand the underlying unconscious motives and thoughts of the individual which form the root cause of the conflicts.Freud's collection of theories have formed the basis for psychodynamic approach to psychology.
• The case study method can be seen as highly subjective as the results are difficult to generalize.This method is based on qualitative subjective data which could be generalized only to a particular individual.
• Since only one person is being studied in detail,different therapists could uncover different information about the individual which cannot be applied to the wider population.Freud mostly studied middle age women,which made it difficult to apply the generalizations to the wider population.
• Also the case study method used in psychodyamic therapy is subjected to researcher bias as well.Researchers could sometimes distort case histories of the patients to fit into the theory.Freud himself has been criticized for it.