In psychology, dynamic psychology is the study of the “drives” or mechanisms to arousal in animals and people. [1]
In 1918, American psychologist Robert Woodworth, in his Dynamic Psychology, defined dynamic psychology as a subject that “must utilize the observations of the ‘workings of the mind’.” Moreover, according to Woodworth, "once the point of view of a dynamic psychology is gained, two general problems come into sight, which may be named the problem of ‘mechanism’ and the problem of ‘drive’.” [1]
In 1954, American psychologist Calvin Hall, defined dynamic psychology as the subject that “that studies the transformations and exchanges of energy within the personality”. [2]
Synonyms
The science of “dynamic psychology”, a 1918 term, to a certain extent, is near synonym or precursor to the post 1920s theme of “psycho-dynamics”, or the later, 1930s theme of "psychodynamics" as embodied in the writings of Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who considered the living organism as a dynamic system to which the laws of chemistry and physics apply. [2]
References
1. Woodworth, Robert Sessions. (1918). Dynamic Psychology, (ch. VII: “Drive and Mechanism in Abnormal Behavior”, pg. 36, pg. 41-43; ch. VIII: “Drive and Mechanism in Social Behavior”). New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Hall, Calvin, S. (1954). A Primer in Freudian Psychology, (pg. 13). Meridian Book.
Further reading
● Ellenberger, Henri F. (1981). The Discovery of the Unconscious: The History and Evolution of Dynamic Psychiatry. Basic Books.
