On May 6, 1856, one of the most controversial thinkers in modern history, the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, was born. This Austrian trained as a neurologist explored childhood sexuality and focused part of his theories about the human mind on the interpretation of dreams.
Basic concepts and methods in psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis was defined by Laplanche and Pontais based on 3 levels: A research method A psychotherapeutic method A set of psychological and psychopathological theories The basic concepts of psychoanalysis are formulated in 5 different models:
Topographic model
Prepared by Freud during his functional stage. Levels of consciousness:
- Unconscious: Most determining level of behavior, primary processes and constituted by repressed contents
- Preconscious: Media between the unconscious and the conscious.
- Conscious: Rational part of the subject, identifies with one’s own Self.
dynamic model
Understand mental phenomena as forces in conflict. The sexual and aggressive instinctive pressures on the one hand and on the other hand the demands constructed to inhibit the conscious expression of these instincts.
Economic model
It deals with the distribution, transformation and expenditure of energy that regulates behavior and psychic life. The basic model of the model:
- concept of libido.
- The primary process corresponds to the pleasure principle
- The secondary process corresponds to the reality principle.
Genetic model
It deals with the development of psychic phenomena and conceives the formation of personality through phases or stages (oral, anal, phallic, genital phase). 5. Structural model: The psychic apparatus is divided into functional units that develop from psychological maturation and social interaction (the id, the superego and the ego)
The Neufreudian tradition
The individual psychology of Alfred Adler
The psychology Adler’s individual offers perspectives on psychohistory and psychobiography, rather than psychoanalysis, recognizing the mutual influence of the individual and society. Some analysis Adlerians They emphasize the desire for power.
It explained why man who suffered from feelings of insecurity would develop a Scientific theory about the superiority of heredity, and why the son would better develop a humorous style, even in his serious scientific work. Adler’s theory, in contrast to the theories of Freud and Jung, emphasizes the conscious struggle of individuals to improve their lives. It offers concepts to understand people who, through hard work, become successful. What about those who don’t try? Rather than accepting their lack of effort as a consequence of forces beyond their conscious control, Adler’s theory holds these individuals responsible for their poor decisions.
Alfred Adler was one of the first and most influential dissenters from the inner circle of early psychoanalysts. Unlike Freud, who emphasized the universal conflicts that all people experience, Adler focused his attention on each person being unique, calling the theory individual psychology. He maintained that people should be understood from a social perspective, not a biological one. He opposed Freud’s exclusive emphasis on sex as a source of energy and stated that any deterministic method that does not consider individual goals is incomplete and cannot provide effective therapy. His approaches present a challenge to develop a theory conscious of determinism.
Adler’s emphasis on the innate tendency towards social interest and on the holistic approach to personality is a historical precursor of psychologists’ humanistic concept of self-actualization.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.