Practice Ñase: Psychodynamic Theory Research (Research Paper Sample)

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Psychodynamic theory often focuses on getting a deeper understanding of the things that go on in the head of the patient (Blatt & Luyten, 2010). The theory asserts that all actions of humans are often predetermined. There is always a deeper reason for doing something, even when the action seems impulsive or unplanned, like a lip of the tongue. The theory thus focuses on getting the reason that people behave the way they do, so as to find ways of changing their thinking.
This theory is directly applicable in the case of Xavier, a twelve year old African American child that resorts to violence at the slightest provocation. As has been established earlier, the boy has witnessed a lot of violence in his life, from his neighborhood. He also does not have a father figure in the house that can show him what the right path is. As a result, he has resorted to react to provocation in the only manner that he has been exposed to; violence.
The absence of a man or a father figure in the household may have also rendered the boy to feel that he is on his own and that he always has to defend himself. The streets have shown him that the only way to dominate is by displaying physical strength, even at times that it may be unnecessary. The theory also serves to explain the approaches that are often taken by Xavier. Freud stated that there is always a conflict between two parts of the subconscious of a human being.
The first one is the unconscious part and the second one is the conscious one (Blatt & Luyten, 2010). While the conscious may think about doing the right thing, it may often be affected by the subconscious, which may lead a person top resolve to certain actions, such as self defense. Xavier may often feel that he does not deserve the kind of treatment that he gets from the peers with whom he picks fights. His subconscious thus tells that conscious not to accept defeat and always strive to come out on top, thus leading to him fighting.
Existential therapy asserts that the mind of a human is always in constant search for validation (Schneider & Krug, 2010). People almost always find that they want to have a certain impact in the lives of others. They feel that better when they know that they man something to other people. However, as life is, sometimes this may fail to take place, leading the human to painfully come to the conclusion that he is alone in the world.
Though quite different from the previous theory, it may also explain the behavior that is exhibited by Xavier. It is his need for validation that may be leading him to violence. In the streets, he has seen that those who are most fierce and strong are the ones who get respect and fear from others. He may thus yearn to be like them. He wants to be feared so that he knows that people hold him in high regard. This often dispels any abilities that he may have to deal with issues in a different way and only resort to violence. Things are not made easier by the fact that the only men he has been around all these years also fight to resolve their issues.
This therapy form is also essential in helping Xavier become a better person. The therapy states that it is important for humans to become aware of the fact that they do not always have to seek validation from other people. They are able to come to the realization that they can find meaning to their lives without having to go through other people (Schneider & Krug, 2010). This form of therapy also asserts that people are able to come to the realization that they are responsible for their actions. Once they realize they are alone, they become aware of the fact that their actions do not always have to be influenced by an outside source and can come from within.
To hel...