Psychodynamic theory is a collection of many psychological theorists who emphasize the importance of drives and forces in functioning human, which are unconscious drives. This theory emphasizes that childhood experience forms the basis of adult relationships and personalities. This theory has its origins in the psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud and includes other theories based on his ideas, including those of Erik Erikson, Anna Freud, and Carl Jung. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Psychologist Drew Westen gives a summary of 5 prepositions that typically encapsulate 21st century psychodynamic thinking. First, people's feelings, thoughts, and motivations are generally unknown to them, which also means that much of their mental life is unconscious. Second, because people's mental reactions occur independently, they may experience conflicting thoughts and feelings toward a situation or person. Then one of the prepositions states that personality begins to form and develop in early childhood and will continue to be influenced or affected by experiences from early childhood through adulthood, primarily in the formation or development of social relationships. Next, Drew Westen also states that an individual's mental understanding of themselves, other individuals, and their relationships affects their social interactions. Finally, Drew Westen states that personality development involves learning to manage aggressive and sexual impulses, as well as growing or developing from a socially dependent state to an interdependent state in which an individual can shape and maintain functional personal or intimate relationships. Identity disorder is caused by an individual's oppressed feelings or thoughts related to unfortunate and traumatic events. An individual unconsciously protects themselves from painful memories by blocking their thoughts and feelings. Psychodynamic theorists assert that dissociative identity disorder results from repeated exposure to traumatic experiences such as severe neglect, abuse, or even abandonment during childhood. According to psychodynamic theory, a child who has experienced repeated traumatic events such as physical abuse lacks the support and resources needed to cope with these traumatic experiences. Therefore, children will become many different personalities fleeing or escaping from the dangerous situation they are in to try to escape the current situation. This process can protect the individual from conflicts or painful memories. Furthermore, the division of mental process becomes extreme and more or less independent identities are formed and each of them has unique sets of memories. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get Custom EssayFor example, in the case of Billy Milligan, Billy Milligan is severely abused by his stepfather. He defended himself against an intolerable and dangerous reality by dividing himself into different selves. An individual must have the ability to separate or dissociate certain memories or mental processes in response to traumatic events or experiences. An individual's susceptibility to hypnotism may be one of the hallmarks of the dissociation process..