FREUDIAN PSYCHOLOGY

1
FREUDIAN PSYCHOLOGY

• An Introduction to the
• Major Components, Part 2
• Dream and Symbol

2
The Beginnings of Psychoanalysis

• Freud coins the term psychoanalysis in 1896.
• Begins to employ the free association technique
  - patient lies on a couch / expresses whatever
  goes through his/her mind.
• Technique allowed patient to point the way to
  abreaction, necessary because the root of the
  problem was both unconscious and repressed.
• Difficult process Memories begin to rise into
  consciousness ? the patient becomes resistant

3
Tension of Opposites

• As infants, we have only desire (uncontrolled
  energy. As we grow, we need to focus and control
  this energy in socially acceptable ways. Freud
  identified this tension between what we want
  versus what we find acceptable as
• The Pleasure Principle is the primary wish
  fulfillment center. It is illogical and
  impulsive. It gives energy to the conscious
  mind, but it needs to be contained in order for
  us to avoid danger.
• The Reality Principle is the secondary drive,
  which is controlled and which takes into account
  the requirements of reality. It tolerates a
  delay of satisfaction.

4
A Map of the Mind

• The Iceberg Theory

The pre-conscious mind
consciousness
The unconscious mind (obviously, the larger part)
5
The Interpretation of Dreams

• Freud believed that
• dreams represent a hidden wish fulfillment,
  which is often (although not always) sexual, and
• dreams---which occur when we sleep and our
  conscious minds are on stand-by---present
  evidence of the unconscious.

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In Your Dreams

• Freuds work with patients reveals that dreams
  are only incomplete pictures, which contain both
  manifest and latent content.
• Manifest content is that part of the dream which
  we remember.
• Latent content is the unconscious wish
  represented by the dream imagery.

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Freudian Dream Symbols

• Symbols in the unconscious come from repressed
  desires.
• Long, pointed, or otherwise elongated images are
  phallic and refer to the male aspect (power,
  aggression, procreation)?associated with the
  father.
• Cups or other womb-like enclosures, bodies of
  water, and forest/garden images are yonic and
  refer to female aspects (nourishment, nurturing,
  birth/rebirth)?assoc. with the mother.