Freudian Psychoanalysis?
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- Date Submitted: 02/05/2011 08:26 AM
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What in your opinion is the most important Metapsychology concept of Freudian psychoanalysis?
The purpose of writing this essay is to give my opinion on what I consider to be the most important metapsychological concept of Freudian psychoanalysis. Freudian’s papers on metapsychology were written between 1915 and 1917 and cover a wide range of the concepts that evolved out of his thinking, entailing his theories on neuroses, psychosexual development, instincts, personality structures, etc. Like any other subjects of study, metapsychology is not committed to a specific method, or to a fixed belief system. It is the study of the origin, structure, and function of the mind and its relationship with the spirit and the physical universe, while encompassing the person’s abilities and experiences, from Freud’s point of view. In the words of Freud over a century ago, "I may use the name of metapsychology for any psychology that leads behind consciousness."[1]
In this essay, I would like to describe and develop the theory of the “Unconscious,” to substantiate my opinion that Freud’s theory of the “Unconscious” was in fact the most important metapsychological concept that he developed. As part of this, I will also take a look at the process of how he developed free association to access the unconscious. Freud believed that this provided the gateway for the unconscious to be brought into the light. Furthermore, he had a particular fascination for dreams and he indicated they were a privilege access to the unconscious. For Freud, the unconscious was a depository for socially unacceptable ideas, wishes or desires, traumatic memories, and painful emotions put out of mind by the mechanism of psychological repression. However, the contents did not necessarily have to be solely negative. Finally, I will refer to resistance and repression, as they are major links to the unconscious.
In his book, “Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis,” Freud points out...
The purpose of writing this essay is to give my opinion on what I consider to be the most important metapsychological concept of Freudian psychoanalysis. Freudian’s papers on metapsychology were written between 1915 and 1917 and cover a wide range of the concepts that evolved out of his thinking, entailing his theories on neuroses, psychosexual development, instincts, personality structures, etc. Like any other subjects of study, metapsychology is not committed to a specific method, or to a fixed belief system. It is the study of the origin, structure, and function of the mind and its relationship with the spirit and the physical universe, while encompassing the person’s abilities and experiences, from Freud’s point of view. In the words of Freud over a century ago, "I may use the name of metapsychology for any psychology that leads behind consciousness."[1]
In this essay, I would like to describe and develop the theory of the “Unconscious,” to substantiate my opinion that Freud’s theory of the “Unconscious” was in fact the most important metapsychological concept that he developed. As part of this, I will also take a look at the process of how he developed free association to access the unconscious. Freud believed that this provided the gateway for the unconscious to be brought into the light. Furthermore, he had a particular fascination for dreams and he indicated they were a privilege access to the unconscious. For Freud, the unconscious was a depository for socially unacceptable ideas, wishes or desires, traumatic memories, and painful emotions put out of mind by the mechanism of psychological repression. However, the contents did not necessarily have to be solely negative. Finally, I will refer to resistance and repression, as they are major links to the unconscious.
In his book, “Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis,” Freud points out...