Psychoanalytic theory

Psychoanalytic theory refers to the definition and dynamics of personality development which underlie and guide psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy. First laid out by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalytic theory has undergone many refinements since his work (see psychoanalysis). Psychoanalytic theory came to full prominence as a critical force in the last third of the twentieth century as part of 'the flow of critical discourse after the 1960's.^[1] Freud ceased his analysis of the brain and his physiological studies in order to turn his focus to the study of the mind and the related psychological attributes making up the mind, something not many psychologists were willing to do. His study then included recognizing childhood events that could potentially lead to the mental functioning of adults. He examined the genetic and then the developmental aspects that made the psychoanalytic theory become what it was.^[2]

Definition

The method of psychological therapy originated by Sigmund Freud in which free association, dream interpretation, and analysis of resistance and transference are used to explore repressed or unconscious impulses, anxieties, and internal conflicts, in order to free psychic energy for mature love and work. Another definition can be the theory of personality developed by Freud that focuses on repression and unconscious forces and includes the concepts of infantile sexuality, resistance, transference, and division of the psyche into the id, ego, and superego.

Psychology Theories

Much of what we know about human thought and behavior has emerged thanks to various psychology theories. For example, behavioral theories demonstrated how conditioning can be used to learn new information and behaviors. Psychology students typically spend a great deal of time studying these different theories. Some theories have fallen out of favor, while others remain widely accepted, but all have contributed tremendously to our understanding of human thought and behavior. By learning more about these theories, you can gain a deeper and richer understanding of psychology's past, prese

The Beginnings

Freud first began his studies under and collaboration with Dr. Josef Breuer, especially when it came to the study on Anna O. ^[3] The relationship between Freud and Breuer was a mix of admiration and competition, based on the fact that they were working together on the Anna O. case and must balance two different ideas as to her diagnosis and treatment. Today, Breuer can be considered the grandfather of psychoanalysis. ^[4] Anna O. was subject to both physical and psychological disturbances, such as not being able to drink out of fear. ^[5] Breuer and Freud both found that hypnosis was a great help in discovering more about Anna O. and her treatment. The research and ideas behind the study on Anna O. was highly referenced in Freud’s lectures on the origin and development of psychoanalysis.

Basic Ideas

The psychoanalytic theory consists of the ideas of based around personality, such as the division of the psyche into the id, ego, and superego, repression, transference, dream-interpretation, and the Oedipus complex, just to name a few. For more detail, see psychoanalysis or psychodynamic theory.

References

Further reading

Books

• Laplanche, J. & Pontalis, J. B. (1974). The Language of Psycho-Analysis, Edited by W. W. Norton & Company, ISBN 0-393-01105-4

Online papers

• Avramaki, E. and Tsekeris, C. (2011). The role of the father in the development of psychosis
• Benjamin, J. (1995). Recognition and destruction: An outline of intersubjectivity
• Boesky, D. (2005). Psychoanalytic controversies contextualized
• Boston Process of Change Study Group. (2005). The "something more" than interpretation
• Brenner, C. (1992). The mind as conflict and compromise formation
• Eagle, M. (1984). Developmental deficit versus dynamic conflict
• Gill, M. (1984). Psychoanalysis and psychotherapy: A revision
• Kernberg, O. (2000). Psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and supportive psychotherapy: contemporary controversies
• Mitchell, Stephen A. (1984). Object relations theories and the developmental tilt
• Rubinstein, B. (1975). On the clinical psychoanalytic theory and its role in the inference and confirmation of particular clinical hypotheses
• Schwartz, W. (2001) Ordinary Language Essentials of Clinical Psychoanalytic Theory
• Sprenger, Scott (2002) Freudian Psychoanalytic Theory

External links

• PSY-LOG: Psychoanalytic Web Directory (in French, German and English)
• René Major article on Foucault and psychoanalysis (in French)
• The États Generaux de la psychanalyse, which was organized in part by Jacques Derrida and René Major (in French)
• Critical psychology glossary
• American Psychoanalytic Association's official website
• Psychoanalysis - Techniques and Practice