Lecture Notes: Introduction to Psychoanalysis

Overview of Psychoanalysis

• Developed by Sigmund Freud in 1896.
• Considered a foundational form of therapy for mental health disorders.
• Marks the beginning of psychotherapy.
• Despite scientific flaws and decreasing popularity, it's historically significant.

Core Beliefs of Psychoanalysis

• Conscious vs. Unconscious Mind:

  • Human personality is divided into conscious and unconscious parts.
  • Daily conflict between these parts influences behavior.

• Structure of the Psyche:

  • Id: Instinctual desires, impulsive, lacks morality (e.g., desires for sex, food, aggression).
  • Superego: Internalized social rules, moralistic (e.g., doing what's right).
  • Ego: Mediator, rational decision-maker (balances id and superego).

Defense Mechanisms

• Developed to manage the conflict between id desires and social norms.
• Protect individuals from guilt and anxiety.
• Mental illness arises when these mechanisms are too restrictive.

Psychoanalytic Therapy Process

• Goal: Make unconscious defense mechanisms conscious.
• Method: Identify and modify defenses to allow mature expression of desires.
• Therapy Session:
  • Client talks freely while lying on a couch.
  • Analyst remains detached and out of sight.
  • Techniques include dream analysis, free association, and examination of transference.

Techniques and Tools

• Free Association:

  • Client says whatever comes to mind.
  • Challenged by ingrained defenses.

• Dream Analysis & Freudian Slips:

  • Dreams and slips are viewed as insights into the unconscious.

• Word Association and Rorschach Tests:

  • Used to facilitate free association and uncover unconscious thoughts.

• Transference:

  • Client transfers feelings from one person to another.
  • Helps in understanding underlying impulses and defense mechanisms.

Effectiveness and Criticism

• Lack of empirical data and controlled studies.
• Some evidence suggests psychoanalysis is better than no treatment.
• Comparable outcomes with behavioral therapy in some studies.
• Not suited for clients with certain disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder).
• Requires time and financial resources, often inaccessible.
• Criticized for being unscientific and subjective.

Conclusion

• Psychoanalysis has declined in popularity in favor of more data-driven therapies.
• Despite this, it played an important role in the development of psychotherapy.
• Modern views see it as outdated and not evidence-based for current therapeutic practices.