Psychodynamic approach concentrates on sexual influences, social and cultural considering the importance of unconscious mind determining behaviour. Whereas behaviourism was developed from disappointment with the psychodynamic approach as well as other theories of consciousness. Cognitive approach believes behaviour is resulted from information processing, defining thinking as information processing by making comparisons between mind and computers. However the humanistic approach is the only approach which believes individuals shape from our own destiny and have free-will. (Brennan, 2003). .
Psychodynamic approach is shaped by Sigmund Freuds psychoanalysis approach (1900-1940s); developing a range of theories which have created the basis of psychoanalysis approach. Freud suggested that the mind is divided into three parts in terms of ID based on the unconscious mind and functions on the pleasure principle; Ego mostly the conscious mind based on behaviour, thoughts and perception of things and Superego occurring at every stage though mostly preconscious involving memories and stored knowledge. (Bernstein, 2011).
Creating five stages of development related to different areas of the body, Freud stated that development through five stages which gives pleasure to the child is called psychosexual stages. Firstly the oral stage from birth to eighteen months, anal stage eighteen months to three years, phallic stage three to six years and genital stage puberty onwards. Each one of these stages represented the fixation of libido on an area of the body. He also believed that children could be fixated at a stage, throughout their development. (Bernstein, 2011).
Although the psychodynamic approach has an impact on development of psychology with its theories conducted by Freud a popular psychologist, the approach didnt develop psychology scientifically. Freud based his studies on what his patients had told him during therapy, this is why his theories are clinically derived and not testable.