Psychoanalytic Theory 2024 PDF

PS338: Psychoanalytic theory and The Neo-Freudians Dr Jenny Groarke University ofGalway.ie Freud Born Czech Republic, 1856, family of 6, moved to Vienna when Sigmund was 5 University of Vienna, Medical doctor Left Austria when Hitler came to power Be...

PS338: Psychoanalytic theory and The Neo-Freudians Dr Jenny Groarke University ofGalway.ie Freud Born Czech Republic, 1856, family of 6, moved to Vienna when Sigmund was 5 University of Vienna, Medical doctor Left Austria when Hitler came to power Believed war proved that people have an aggressive, destructive urge Became a psychiatrist Cocaine use Died of cancer of the mouth 1939 Rare footage of Freud University ofGalway.ie Freud’s own ‘neuroses’ Addiction (smoked around 20 cigars per day) Fears related to travelling Suffered from anxiety Consciously undertook life of Celibacy at 41 “in order to sublimate the libido for creative purposes” (according to biographer, E. Jones); dislike of University sex? ofGalway.ie Celebrity status University ofGalway.ie University ofGalway.ie Influences: Josef Bruer Austrian physician, physiologist ‘Grandfather’ of psychoanalysis? Referred patients to Freud University ofGalway.ie Influences: Jean-Martin Charot French Neurologist Extremely important figure Focus on treating ‘hysteria’ emerging from trauma Hypnosis University ofGalway.ie ‘Anna O’ (Bertha Pappenheim) Presented with puzzling symptoms Paralysis, vivid dreams and hallucinations Bruer treated Facts embellished Bertha made full recovery over time University ofGalway.ie ‘Frau Emmy von. N.’ (Fanny Moser) Freud’s first dealing with ‘hysteria’ – first patient Presented with physical and verbal tics Very susceptible to hypnosis Left Freud’s care, suffered later relapse Case not a success, overall University ofGalway.ie A rare modest moment? “If it is a merit to have brought psychoanalysis into being, that merit is not mine. I had no share in its earliest beginnings. I was a student and working for my final examinations at the time when another Viennese physician, Dr Josef Breuer first (in 1880- 2) made use of this procedure on a girl who was suffering from hysteria” (Freud, lecturing at Clark University) University ofGalway.ie Key Ideas of Psychoanalysis: Psychic Determinism Initially Darwinian, then adhered to Lamarack Lamarckism – change that happens during a person’s lifespan can be passed on from parent to child (short space of time, within one generation) Darwinism – change happens slowly, over very long period of time; adaptation etc. University ofGalway.ie Key Ideas of Psychoanalysis: Psychic Determinism Miracles, free will, and random accidents do not exist. Seeming contradictions of thoughts and behavior can be resolved. Leads to idea of the unconscious University ofGalway.ie Personality “I should like to present you with a simple diagram which shows the structural relationships of the psychical personality as I have described them to you” - Sigmund Freud, New Introductory Lectures 72 University ofGalway.ie Key Ideas of Psychoanalysis: Internal Structure The mind is made of separate parts that function independently and can conflict with each other. Id: irrational and emotional Ego: rational Superego: moral Modern research contradicts University ofGalway.ie Key Ideas of Psychoanalysis: Psychic Conflict and Compromise The mind can conflict with itself. Compromise formation The ego’s main job Result is conscious thought and behavior Used in modern psychoanalytic thought University ofGalway.ie Key Ideas of Psychoanalysis: Mental Energy Assumption – mind needs energy AKA libido The amount of energy is fixed and finite. Some implications not supported by research: expression of anger Modern thought: information-processing capacity is limited University ofGalway.ie Psychoanalysis, Life, and Death Two fundamental motives Libido [Eros] Creation, protection, and enjoyment of life Creativity, productivity, and growth Thanatos Introduced later to account for destructive activity such as war and the fact that everyone dies Similar to entropy University ofGalway.ie Psychosexual Development Focus on where the psychic energy is and how it is used Stage theory of development Aspects of each stage Physical focus Psychological theme Adult character type University ofGalway.ie Psychosexual Stages University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development: Oral Stage Timing: birth to 18 months Physical focus: mouth, lips, and tongue Psychological theme: dependency, passivity Only the id exists Two ways things can go wrong: needs are not fulfilled or needs are fulfilled instantly and automatically Adult character type: overly independent versus passive University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development: Anal Stage (1) Timing: about 18 months to 3 years Physical focus: anus and organs of elimination Psychological theme: self-control and obedience University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development: Anal Stage (2) Development of the ego Two ways things can go wrong: unreasonable expectations and never demanding control of urges Adult character type: overcontrolled versus undercontrolled University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development: Phallic Stage Timing: about 3 ½ to 7 years Physical focus: sexual organs Basic task: coming to terms with physical sex differences and their implications Oedipal crisis University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development: Phallic Stage Psychological themes o Gender identity and sexuality ▪ Identification o Love, fear, and jealousy Development of morality, conscience, and the superego Adult character type: rigid moral code versus lack of moral code; asexual versus promiscuous University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development: Latency Timing: about 7 years to puberty A break from development Concentrate on learning the tasks of childhood University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development: Genital Stage Timing: puberty on o This stage is not passed through, but attained. Physical focus: genitals, sexuality in the context of a mature relationship Focus on creation and enhancement of life Psychological theme: maturity Achievement: psychologically well adjusted and balanced o Mental health: the ability “to love and to work” University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development: Moving Through Stages Analogy: army conquering hostile territory Battles occur when there is opposition. Troops are left at battle sights: fixation Retreat to previous stronghold: regression Victory is reaching the genital stage with most of the army (energy) intact. University ofGalway.ie Psychological Development Generate examples of oral, anal, phallic or genital character types among people you know, or characters from TV/Film/Literature What are these people like? And how does this fit with the character type for that stage? What may have happened in the person’s past to have resulted in fixation at a certain stage? University ofGalway.ie  Thinking and Consciousness: Levels of Consciousness Topographic model Conscious mind Least important Some of the ego Preconscious Unconscious All of the id, nearly all of the superego, and most of the ego Most important University Difficult to bring to the surface ofGalway.ie Parapraxes Forgetting Usually the result of repression Freudian slips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLHr_S6_OX8&ab_channel=brad h121 From belief in psychic determinism Often in speech, but also in action More likely when a person is tired, not paying attention, in a hurry, or excited University ofGalway.ie Anxiety and Defense Anxiety from the outside world Anxiety from psychic conflict Prevent anxiety with defense mechanisms University ofGalway.ie Anxiety and Defense Denial Repression Reaction formation Projection Rationalization Intellectualization Displacement Sublimation University ofGalway.ie Psychoanalysis as a Therapy and as a Route Toward Understanding Resolve problems by bringing unconscious conflicts to the surface so the ego can deal with them Takes time and can be painful Patients must be comforted and guided through this process. o Therapeutic alliance, with power through transference University ofGalway.ie Psychoanalysis as a Therapy and as a Route Toward Understanding Criticisms: low cure rate and length of treatment Recent research long term more effective Rather than a therapy, psychoanalysis can be thought of as a tool for understanding human nature and culture. University ofGalway.ie Controversy Moral: dislike of emphasis on sex and sexual energy Scientific: Theory is unscientific. Personal level: People do not want to be told why they really did something, especially when you are correct. University ofGalway.ie Psychoanalytic Theory: A Critique Excessive complexity Case study method o Theories are based on introspection and insight from specific cases. o High likelihood of bias Vague definitions Concepts not defined in terms of operational definitions University ofGalway.ie Psychoanalytic Theory: A Critique Untestability: cannot be proven false Sexism Males are considered to be the norm. Females are considered as aberrations or deviations from the male model. Focused on ideas that are underemphasized or ignored elsewhere University ofGalway.ie Why Study Freud? Influence on modern conceptions of the mind Influence on the practice of psychotherapy Many ideas in popular culture Revival of Freudian thought in research Proposed the only complete theory of personality University ofGalway.ie Some final words (BBC, 1938) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sm5YFnEPBE “I started my professional activity as a neurologist trying to bring relief to my neurotic patients. Under the influence of an older friend and by my own efforts, I discovered some important new facts about the unconscious in psychic life, the role of instinctual urges, and so on. Out of these findings grew a new science, psychoanalysis, a part of psychology, and a new method of treatment of the neuroses. I had to pay heavily for this bit of good luck. People did not believe in my facts and thought my theories unsavory. Resistance was strong and unrelenting. In the end I succeeded in acquiring pupils and building up an International Psychoanalytic Association. But the struggle is not yet over. “ –Sigmund Freud. University ofGalway.ie Interpreting Freud This can be difficult. He changed his mind about important issues more than once. Updating the theory to be reasonable today Alter story of the Oedipal crisis in light of research on socialization Reinterpret libido as the life drive Development includes changing demands in the social world University ofGalway.ie  Neo-Freudian psychology Anna Freud Latter-Day Bruno Bettelheim Issues and Harry Stack Sullivan Theorists Henry Murray Used the same methods as Freud University ofGalway.ie The Neo-Freudians Differed from Freud Less emphasis on and reinterpretation of the libido Less emphasis on unconscious mental processes and more on conscious thought Less emphasis on instinctual drives and mental life as the source of psychological difficulties, and more on interpersonal relationships University ofGalway.ie But still psychoanalysts? Yes! Maintained Freud’s most important contribution – the talking cure Psychotherapy is central to treatment of ‘neurosis’ University ofGalway.ie Developments in Psychoanalysis Many people are still trying to prove Freud was wrong. Refinements by clinical practitioners and theorists University ofGalway.ie Inferiority and Compensation Alfred Adler (1870-1937) Thought Freud focused too much on sex More importance on social interest Organ inferiority Perceptions of weakness are more important than reality. University ofGalway.ie Inferiority and Compensation Masculine protest Also experienced by women Particularly acute for men Helps explain some universal needs Style of life University ofGalway.ie The Collective Unconscious, Persona, and Personality Carl Jung (1875-1961) Collective unconscious and archetypes Earth mother, hero, devil, supreme being Appear in dreams, fantasies, mythology, and modern literature University ofGalway.ie The Collective Unconscious, Persona, and Personality Persona False to some degree Possible danger Anima and animus Cause a masculine side and feminine side in everyone Shape responses to the other sex University ofGalway.ie The Collective Unconscious, Persona, and Personality Introverts versus extraverts Ways of thinking: rational, feeling, sensing, and intuiting People vary in which way predominates, but a balance is ideal. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) University ofGalway.ie Feminine Psychology and Basic Anxiety Karen Horney (1885-1952) Disagreed with “penis envy” and women’s desire to be male Basic anxiety Influences adult behavior Neurotic needs University ofGalway.ie Psychosocial Development Erik Erikson (1902-1994) Many conflicts are conscious and arise at various stages of life. Basic conflicts arise at various stages of life. University ofGalway.ie A Freudian to the core? Said he followed Freud’s teachings faithfully Not precisely the case – didn’t see unconscious as most important aspect of person Problems and conflicts can be conscious University ofGalway.ie University ofGalway.ie Psychosocial Development Stage 1: Basic trust versus mistrust Learn whether needs will be met, ignored, or overindulged Development of hope and confidence Stage 2: Autonomy versus shame and doubt Figuring out who is in charge University ofGalway.ie Psychosocial Development Stage 3: Initiative versus guilt Anticipating and fantasizing about life as an adult Develop a sense of right and wrong Stage 4: Industry versus inferiority Develop skills and abilities to succeed in the world of work and contribute to society Must begin to control imagination and unfocused energy University ofGalway.ie Psychosocial Development Stage 5: Identity versus identity confusion Figure out who I am and what is important Choose consistent, meaningful, and useful values and goals Stage 6: Intimacy versus isolation Find an intimate life partner University ofGalway.ie Psychosocial Development Stage 7: Generativity versus stagnation Turn concerns to the next generation or become passive Stage 8: Integrity versus despair Brought on by the prospect of death Based on feelings about one’s life University ofGalway.ie Psychosocial Development Major contributions of Erikson’s theory Psychological development is based on developmental tasks at different phases of life. Consistent with current theorizing that personality development is an ongoing life task University ofGalway.ie  Latter-Day Issues and Theorists: Object Relations Theory Melanie Klein and D. W. Winnicott University ofGalway.ie  Latter-Day Issues and Theorists: Object Relations Theory Melanie Klein and D. W. Winnicott Objects - any person or part of a person we take into our psychic structure and, then later project onto other people. Begins in infancy. Object relations theory - Concerned with the way a person relates to others in a conscious and unconscious way. We relate to others via the images of them in our minds. The images do not always match reality. According to Freud’s drive model: when the love object is lost, the ego creates an image of the lost object in order to placate the Id. University ofGalway.ie Object Relations Theory Four principal themes 1. Every relationship has elements of satisfaction and frustration, or pleasure and pain. 2. The mix of love and hate 3. Distinction between parts of the love object and the whole person 4. The psyche is aware of and disturbed by these contradictory feelings. University ofGalway.ie ‘Good breast, bad breast’ Breast first relatable object to baby – a component of mother Breast is both good and bad (provides milk -> satisfaction, but not always available -> frustration) A source of extreme love and hate for baby Eventually, baby views breast as part of mother – whole person University ofGalway.ie Object Relations Theory Based on work with children Play therapy Allows the symbolic expression of emotions Splitting of love objects into good and bad parts Neurotic defenses University ofGalway.ie Object Relations Theory Transitional objects Sentimental objects for adults The false self Prevents exposure of the true self The “True Self” has a sense of integrity and wholeness The “False Self” = the need to comply/accommodate at the expense of self-expression University ofGalway.ie False selves Extremely Maladaptive: MASK-true self completely hidden Moderately : CARETAKER-permitted secret life Minimally Adaptive: Defender–waits for safe/desirable conditions Moderately: Imitator–identifies with caring objects as model Adaptive: Facilitator-normal socialisation True-self, aliveness of all functions and feelings. I can exist on my own. University ofGalway.ie Object Relations Theory Purpose of object relations therapy Minimize discrepancies between true and false selves Help the rational resources of the mind work through irrational defenses Help the client see important people in his life the way they actually are University ofGalway.ie Klein’s Object Relations Theory Object relations theory differs from Freudian theory in at least three ways: 1. More emphasis on interpersonal relationships 2. Stresses infant's relationship with the mother rather than the father, 3. Suggests that people are motivated primarily for human contact rather than for sexual pleasure. University ofGalway.ie Winnicott’s object relations theory We are driven to form relationships with others and failure to form successful early relationships leads to later problems. Relation between the subject and their internalized objects, as well as with external objects. Thus we have a relationship with the internal mother as well as an external one. Development of male gender identity more difficult as first person with whom the infant identifies is female. Object-relating vs. Object-usage University ofGalway.ie  ‘No such thing as a baby’ Where there is a baby there always a caring adult Winnicott’s infant becomes a personal self through the protective care of the ‘good enough mother’ Primary maternal preoccupation – initial close identification with baby – fosters illusion of oneness, makes baby secure and feel omnipotent As mother begins to take up her own separate life again, the baby learns to develop his/her own resources University ofGalway.ie Three ways mother protects baby 1. Holding 2. Handling 3. Object presenting University ofGalway.ie Holding Physical and emotional Empathic attunment, contains and manages feelings and impulses How she carries, moves, feeds, speaks to and responds to her baby Prevents shock of sudden movement, bright lights, loud noises until baby can manage these without shutting down his/her being Baby can remain in a state ‘unintegration’, a relaxed and undefended openness in which his/her different experiences can join together in an unbroken stream → True Self Without the right holding, baby jolted into shock and reaction, Has to protect against the awful experience of unintegration without holding → False self protection University ofGalway.ie Handling Sensitive touch and responsive care Experiences of this will help build a stable unity of mind and body If bodily functions managed impersonally or baby left alone for too long (emotionally or physically) the infant may attempt to cope by identifying with his/her mind rather than body In later life issues may be the sense of feeling unreal, depersonalised, floating in a void without being anchored to bodily self University ofGalway.ie Object presenting How mother brings outside world to baby Usually in the form of feeding When it goes well, baby is ready to receive and explore and mother is happy to allow him/her some independence Baby develops a sense of oneness in the world which grows into an appreciation of both his/her connection with others and separateness Problems – feeding before hungry, lifting infant before awake, playing with him/her before baby has a chance to make contact Difficulty in developing a self confidence May not expect the world to empathise with him/her Under developed sense of personal boundaries False self position In adulthood there can be a sense of distrust, futility and loneliness University ofGalway.ie Limitations/Criticisms Some argue Winnicott purely studied children and mothers, focused solely on childhood Developed his ideas during WWII, so Euro-centric theories Evidence is limited as most of his ideas based on observation of repeating patterns Not all mothers have maternal instinct, some saw babies as individuals not babies, bonding doesn’t always occur Idealised notion of mothers? Did he want to put mothers back into the home after their war time employment? University ofGalway.ie Current Psychoanalytic Research Independent and simultaneous mental processes that can conflict Unconscious mental processes Compromises among mental processes negotiated outside of consciousness Self-defensive thoughts and self-deception The influence of the past on current functioning The influence of sexual or aggressive wishes University ofGalway.ie Current Psychoanalytic Research: Testing Psychoanalytic Hypotheses Perceptual defense The unconscious part of the mind can perceive things without the conscious mind’s awareness. To prevent anxiety Recognition of “dirty” versus neutral words Unconscious thought Parallel distributed processing (PDP) Defense and catharsis Traits associated with having an anal or oral character correlate with each other as theorized. University ofGalway.ie Psychoanalysis in Perspective It’s difficult to evaluate the theory. Many ideas about mental life have been influenced by psychoanalysis. It may be necessary to go beyond published evidence to fairly and fully evaluate psychoanalysis. University ofGalway.ie Psychoanalysis in Perspective REFLECT: Does the psychoanalytic approach offer questions you did not previously consider and offer insights into things you did not understand as well before? University ofGalway.ie