When you hear the word Psychodynamic, the first name that normally comes to mind is Sigmund Freud. The second is Erik Erikson.. Freud because he is the forefather, and Erikson because of his life-span view of development. The Psychodynamic Perspectives are based on inner conflicts and how these conflicts affect our development.

(Remember we are using these theories to Describe, Explain, and Predict so that we may Control or intervene as needed.)

Freud's theory is quite interesting, and considering his cohort, he was well beyond his time. Freud addresses "psychic energy", the conscious, unconscious, and preconscious, and developmental stages. The stages are:

• Oral
• Anal
• Phallic, and
• Genital.

Freud is also well know for his theory of ID, EGO, and SUPEREGO. The ID, EGO, and SUPEREGO are in constant struggle to maintain balance. The ID is the child in you, and operates on the pleasure principle. The EGO operates on the reality principle. The SUPEREGO is that nagging parent keeping you out of trouble, or our sense of morality.

In sum, Freud's theory can be divided into these four approaches:

Erik Erikson's Theory focuses on personality development. He argues that individuals progress through eight stages of psychosocial development. The resolution of each stage gives rise to various virtues such as trust, competence, and a sense of self. The stages are as follows:

Of interest, Erikson was the first theorist to address development across the life-span. He is also best known for his emphais on identity. To Erikson, "Life is a quest for Identity."

Theories and Research