PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY Foundations and Applications Sigmund Freud Father

PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY Foundations and Applications

Sigmund Freud, Father of Psychoanalysis (1856 -1939) Human nature is basically deterministic. Progression through the psychosexual stages during the first six years of life will determine much of one’s development. Picture retrieved from Wikipedia

History of Psychoanalysis: Three Phases (Fine, 1979) 1. Emergence of Psychoanalysis prior to WW I (dominated by Freud) 2. 1918 -1939: emergence of many psychoanalytic facilities and establishment of the American Psychoanalytic Association 3. End of WWII to present: Still a large “following” worldwide and the expansion of psychoanalytic theory beyond Freud.

Goal of Counseling: Resolution of problems by working through unresolved issues and exploration of unconscious material as it relates to the client-analyst relationship. http: //www. apsa. org/content/aboutpsychoanalysis) By clicking on the hyperlink, you can go to the American Psychoanalytic Association’s website and learn more about contemporary Psychoanalysis

View of Human Nature Deterministic Behavior is determined by: Irrational Forces Unconscious Motivations Biological and Instinctual Drives Instincts serve the purpose of the survival of the individual and are oriented towards: Growth Development Creativity

Four psychoanalytic psychologies: Freud’s drive theory Ego psychology Object Relations Self psychology

EGO PSYCHOLOGY Major player: Heinz Kohut (1913 -1981) Other players: Mahler Emphasis on narcissism Believes love for self precedes love for others

EGO PSYCHOLOGY Key Players: Anna Freud Heinz Hartmann Erikson (most well-known for this theory)

Goals of Psychotherapy in Ego Psychology Seeing the world as it is, without too much distortion from inner distress and transference. Ego psychologists try to help clients interpret other’s statements and actions without utilizing a defense mechanism Attempt to build ego strength, the capacity of the ego to pursue its healthy goals in spite of threat and stress.

Object Relations-Attachment Theory Objects are mental representations of other people and relationships with others. It is a stage theory that focuses on the process of becoming an independent individual and seeing people as stable, complex, and real. Responsiveness of the mother is critical. Throughout therapy, the client renounces judgment of others and self, realizing that variation can exist within one person.

Goals of Object Relations Psychotherapy To revise impaired object representations To free up the ego to pursue its healthy functions. Shares with other psychodynamic approaches the mission of enhancing ego strength.

Freud’s Drive Theory Freud believed that all human behavior is driven by innate instincts, or drives. Drives can either be self-preservative (breathing, eating, etc. ) or speciespreservative (sexuality). Libido: the psychic energy that emanates from sexual drives; always seeks pleasure

Structure of Personality; 3 Systems Id: The primary source of psychic energy and the seat of instincts; Largely unconscious; Ruled by the pleasure principle Ego: the “Executive” that governs, controls, and regulates personality. Ruled by the reality principle. Superego: Represents the “ideal”, not the real. Morals, right/wrong, conscience

Levels of Consciousness Conscious: includes sensations and experiences that you are aware of. Preconscious: memories that are easily remembered Unconscious: memories that are “forgotten”

Evidence Supporting the Unconscious Dreams: Symbolic representations of unconscious needs, wishes and conflicts Slips of the Tongue & Forgetting Posthypnotic Suggestions Material Derived from: Free-Association Projective Techniques Symbolic Content of Psychotic Symptoms

Another essential concept…. . ANXIETY A state of tension that motivates action Result of conflict between id, ego, & superego 3 kinds: reality (fear of danger); neurotic (fear that instincts will cause you to do something for which you are punished); moral (fear of one’s own conscience)

Ego Defense Mechanisms Repression Denial Reaction formation Projection Displacement Rationalization Sublimation Regression Introjection Identification Compensation

Freud Drive & Oral Stage: Dependency on mother for gratification-involves lips, mouth, & throat Anal Stage: Anal zone becomes major source of interest--dev. tasks=learning independence, power & control Phallic Stage: Source of sexual gratification comes from genitals--conflict centers on unconscious incestuous desires--Oedipus complex & Electra complex Erikson Ego Infancy: Trust vs Mistrust -- significant others important Early Childhood: Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt -- struggle b/w sense of self-reliance & self-doubt Preschool: Initiative vs. Guilt -- Basic task is to achieve a sense of comptence and initiative

Freud & Drive Latency Stage: Relatively quiet period -- sexual interest replaced by focus on socialization Genital Stage: Begins with puberty and lasts until senility - movement towards freedom from parental influence and capacity to care for others -sexual energy directed towards others, rather than self-love Erikson Ego School Age: Industry vs. Inferiority -- setting and attaining personal goals = basic task Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion -transitional time, conflicts center on clarification of identity Young Adulthood: Intimacy vs. Isolation -developmental task is to form intimate relationships

3 Phases of the Therapeutic Process Initial Stage: Interpretation, analysis of resistance, analysis of transference Working Through: Client becomes more free in thought and speech, gains insight into how past influences present. Final Stage: Termination – Benefits of therapy discussed.

Counselor’s Role in Treatment Counselor assumes a “blank screen” approach and attempts to foster a transference relationship so that the client can “work through” the developmental issue that is problematic. Goal is to foster self-awareness and to help clients’ engage in the process of uncovering unconscious material. Therapy is typically intense and long-term!

Therapeutic Goals To make the unconscious To strengthen the ego so that behavior is based more on reality and less on instinctual cravings or irrational guilt

Counseling Interventions Free Association Analysis of dreams Analysis of transference Analysis of resistance Interpretation

Client’s Experience Clients must be willing to commit to an intensive, long-term therapy process Successful analysis answers the client’s “why” questions regarding his or her life

Supporting Research Fisher & Greenberg (1977) examined 2, 000 individual studies involving psychoanalysis. Freudian Theory has been subjected to more scientific appraisal than any other theory. Useful for clients who need to explore the role of early childhood events and the impact of these experiences.

Limitations of Psychoanalysis Appeals to the educated middle- to upperclass clients able to afford long-term treatment True psychoanalysis can only be conducted by trained professionals ($$$) Long-terms therapies are not as popular as newer brief therapy models Requires client commitment of time, $$$, and effort

Who uses which theory: Freud’s drive theory only = classical or traditional theorists Systematic approach (combining 2, 3, or 4 theories) = listening perspective which selects the best theory for a specific disorder. Object relations seems to be a more userfriendly approach within the psychodynamic paradigm

PSYCHOANALYTIC APPLICATIONS Treatment of Hysteria (Hypnosis) Childhood Anxiety Borderline Disorders Narcissistic Disorders (due to problems with insufficient attention from parent early on) Eating Disorders

Current Trends & Issues Treatment Manuals: Because of the long and intense nature of psychoanalysis, there has been a recent effort to create “how-to” manuals to make the treatment more popular and comprehensible. Two person vs. one person: A shift from focus on the client to focus on how the patient and therapist influence each other. More empathic and interactive than traditional psychoanalysis.

Gender Issues Tends to make sexist generalizations about women Great emphasis on the child-mother relationships Concern about samesex or opposite sex therapists

Multicultural Issues Freud’s work was vulnerable to social and cultural factors Erikson (Psychosocial) was very devoted to cross cultural concerns and addressed them in his research Modern psychoanalysts have made recent efforts to reach out to diverse populations and confront treatment issues (bilingualism, skin color, cultural animosity, etc. )