Transcript
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Why is some mental activityWhy is some mental activityconscious and other portionconscious and other portion
unconscious?unconscious?
Since mental activity revolvesSince mental activity revolvesaround wish fulfillment, another wayaround wish fulfillment, another wayof phrasing this question is:of phrasing this question is:
±±Why are some wishes conscious and Why are some wishes conscious and others unconscious? others unconscious?
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
What did Freud say?What did Freud say?
±±³unconsciousness is a regular and ³unconsciousness is a regular andinevitable phase in the processesinevitable phase in the processesconstituting our mental activity; everyconstituting our mental activity; everymental act begins as an unconsciousmental act begins as an unconscious
one, and it may either remain so or goone, and it may either remain so or goon developing into consciousness,on developing into consciousness,according as it meets with resistance or according as it meets with resistance or not.´ not.´
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Thus some wishes have the capacityThus some wishes have the capacityto become conscious with noto become conscious with noproblem.problem.
Others have a harder time doing so.Others have a harder time doing so.The reason for this is that theyThe reason for this is that theyencounterencounter resistance.resistance.
When wishes (thought, images, etc.)When wishes (thought, images, etc.)are expelled from consciousnessare expelled from consciousnessthrough resistance, they becomethrough resistance, they becomeunconscious, and cannot enterunconscious, and cannot enter
consciousness unless:consciousness unless:
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Where does resistance come from?Where does resistance come from?
Resistance to the certain wishesResistance to the certain wishes
come from the reality ego.come from the reality ego.This resistance has many sources.This resistance has many sources.
among them are:among them are:
1) some wishes are practically1) some wishes are practicallydangerous and/or impossible.dangerous and/or impossible. T heir T heir fulfillment endangers the life of thefulfillment endangers the life of theorganismorganism..
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Where does resistance come from?Where does resistance come from?
Resistance to the certain wishesResistance to the certain wishes
come from the reality ego.come from the reality ego.This resistance has many sourcesThis resistance has many sources
among them:among them:
2) Some wishes, even though they2) Some wishes, even though theyare practically feasible, areare practically feasible, arenormatively forbidden or morally normatively forbidden or morally condemned condemned ..
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
In other words while the instinctIn other words while the instinct(under the rule of the pleasure(under the rule of the pleasure
principle) says fulfill my aim now!principle) says fulfill my aim now!The reality ego says: Moron, think of The reality ego says: Moron, think of the consequences!the consequences!
For FreudFor Freud this clash between thethis clash between the
pleasure ego and the reality ego, pleasure ego and the reality ego,constituted the key to understandingconstituted the key to understandingall of the interesting (and tragic)all of the interesting (and tragic)
phenomena of mental life phenomena of mental life..
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
We have to now distinguish betweenWe have to now distinguish betweenthree different ³states´ that a mentalthree different ³states´ that a mental
representation of the instinct mayrepresentation of the instinct maypossess:possess:
1) it can be1) it can be consciousconscious activated atactivated atthe moment (man, I feel like doing«)the moment (man, I feel like doing«)
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
We have to now distinguish betweenWe have to now distinguish betweenthree different ³states´ that a mentalthree different ³states´ that a mentalrepresentation of the instinct mayrepresentation of the instinct may
possess:possess:3) It can be3) It can be unconsciousunconscious: that is,: that is,
exist as a mental representation inexist as a mental representation in
the cognitive system, but unable tothe cognitive system, but unable toever reach consciousness giveever reach consciousness givecurrent levels of resistance.current levels of resistance.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
External
perceptual
stimuli:
Conscious ego
Mental
Representation of
Instincts
Conscious
UnconsciousPleasure or Pain?
Physiological
Source of
Instincts
Pleasure or Pain?
Pre-ConsciousPre-cons. ego
Uncs. ego
Real/Unreal?
Action in theReal World
If Pleasure, Stand
Down. If Pain Do
Something to get
rid of it
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Normally, (in the absence of Normally, (in the absence of resistance) instincts go from beingresistance) instincts go from beingphysiological, to mental/unconscious,physiological, to mental/unconscious,
to mental/preconscious to mentalto mental/preconscious to mentalconscious easily.conscious easily.
However, when resistance is present,However, when resistance is present,
instinct may get ³stuck´ at theinstinct may get ³stuck´ at themental/unconscious (or unconsciousmental/unconscious (or unconsciousfor short) stage.for short) stage.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
External
perceptual
stimuli:
Conscious ego
Mental
Representation of
Instincts
Conscious
UnconsciousPleasure or Pain?
Physiological
Source of
Instincts
Pleasure or Pain?
Pre-ConsciousPre-cons. ego
Uncs. ego
Real/Unreal?
Action in theReal World
If Pleasure, Stand
Down. If Pain Do
Something to get
rid of it
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
External
perceptual
stimuli:
Conscious ego
Mental
Representation of
Instincts
Conscious
UnconsciousPleasure or Pain?
Physiological
Source of
Instincts
Pleasure or Pain?
Pre-ConsciousPre-cons. ego
Uncs. ego
Real/Unreal?
Action in theReal World
If Pleasure, Stand
Down. If Pain Do
Something to get
rid of it
Resistance
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
In psychoanalysis the processIn psychoanalysis the processthrough which the unconscious egothrough which the unconscious ego ³checks´ the multiple impulses ³checks´ the multiple impulses
coming from the body is calledcoming from the body is calledrepression.repression.
It is important not to confuseIt is important not to confuse
repression with suppression.repression with suppression.Suppression entails the consciousSuppression entails the consciousego rejecting an impulseego rejecting an impulse..
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Repression in contrast is anRepression in contrast is anunconscious and automatic processunconscious and automatic processof rejection of impulses.of rejection of impulses.
This means that you stop yourself This means that you stop yourself from doing multiple things everydayfrom doing multiple things everydaywithout being aware that you arewithout being aware that you are
stopping yourself from doing themstopping yourself from doing them..
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
This almost has to be the case if youThis almost has to be the case if youaccept the fact that there areaccept the fact that there arehundreds of impulses being createdhundreds of impulses being created
in the body and being transferred toin the body and being transferred tothe unconscious when you arethe unconscious when you areawake.awake.
I
f the conscious ego had to checkI
f the conscious ego had to checkeach one of them to see if they areeach one of them to see if they arecompatible with reality, yourcompatible with reality, yourcognitive system would soon becognitive system would soon be
overwhelmed.overwhelmed.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
This means that part of thisThis means that part of this ³censoring´ activity is transferred to ³censoring´ activity is transferred toautomatic (unconscious) systems inautomatic (unconscious) systems in
the ego, so that you can get on withthe ego, so that you can get on withthe rest of your life.the rest of your life.
At this point the only criteria that theAt this point the only criteria that the
ego uses to sort through theego uses to sort through theimpulses is the realistic/unrealisticimpulses is the realistic/unrealisticcriterion along with the pleasure/paincriterion along with the pleasure/paincriterion.criterion.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
This means that at the ³checkpoint´ This means that at the ³checkpoint´ the unconscious ego inspects thethe unconscious ego inspects theimpulse and asks ³is it feasible orimpulse and asks ³is it feasible or
not?´ not?´ If the answer to the last question isIf the answer to the last question is
yes, then it will allow the impulse toyes, then it will allow the impulse to
become preconscious and laterbecome preconscious and laterconscious. If not,conscious. If not, the impulse isthe impulse isrepressed repressed ..
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
For Freud, the most important kind of For Freud, the most important kind of repressed impulses where the ones thatrepressed impulses where the ones thatcarried a lot of energy or potential forcarried a lot of energy or potential for
pleasure, but were repressed for lack of pleasure, but were repressed for lack of practical success.practical success.
The reason for this is that these impulsesThe reason for this is that these impulseshighlighted the contradiction between thehighlighted the contradiction between the
two principles of mental functioning.two principles of mental functioning.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
When a strong impulse is denied access toWhen a strong impulse is denied access toconsciousness, it continues to ³try to getconsciousness, it continues to ³try to getin´ which means that the ego has toin´ which means that the ego has to
devote a lot of energy to repression.devote a lot of energy to repression. The more impulses are being repressedThe more impulses are being repressed
by the ego, the less energy will the egoby the ego, the less energy will the egohave to devote to repression and the lesshave to devote to repression and the lessenergy it will have to do other thingsenergy it will have to do other things(think, move the body, worry about(think, move the body, worry aboutpractical matters, etc.)practical matters, etc.)
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However, just because an impulse isHowever, just because an impulse isbeing met by resistance, does notbeing met by resistance, does notnecessarily mean that it will staynecessarily mean that it will stayunconscious forever.unconscious forever.
There are many ways in which aThere are many ways in which arepressed impulse can still becomerepressed impulse can still become
conscious.conscious.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
1) ego resistance to them is1) ego resistance to them issomehow weakened.somehow weakened.
2) they gather ³enough steam´ to2) they gather ³enough steam´ tobeat the resistance.beat the resistance.
3) the disguise themselves in order3) the disguise themselves in orderto ³fool the reality principle´ and thusto ³fool the reality principle´ and thusenter consciousness in a modifiedenter consciousness in a modifiedway.way.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of resistance):resistance):
1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow weakened.weakened.
We¶ve all experienced this duringWe¶ve all experienced this duringepisodes of drunkenness, drug use,episodes of drunkenness, drug use,chronic fatigue, etc.chronic fatigue, etc.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of resistance):resistance):
1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow weakened.weakened.
Here the ego loses the capacity toHere the ego loses the capacity toengage in resistance, and previouslyengage in resistance, and previouslyunconscious wishes becomeunconscious wishes become
conscious.conscious.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of
resistance):resistance):1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow
weakened.weakened.
Freud thought that during dreamsFreud thought that during dreamsthe same thing happened. Controlthe same thing happened. Controlcenters of the ego in charge of centers of the ego in charge of resistance are turned off.resistance are turned off.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of
resistance):resistance):1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow
weakened.weakened.
Why are dreams so crazy then?Why are dreams so crazy then?Because just before you wake up,Because just before you wake up,the censor realizes all of the terriblethe censor realizes all of the terriblethings you dreamed about, and in athings you dreamed about, and in a
desperatedesperate
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of
resistance):resistance):1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow
weakened.weakened.
attempt to erase what has been doneattempt to erase what has been done jumbles your memories of the jumbles your memories of thedreamdream.. In other words what youIn other words what youremember in the morning isremember in the morning is not not whatwhat
you dreamt butyou dreamt but
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of resistance):resistance):
1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow weakened.weakened.
an ³alphabet soup´ jumble createdan ³alphabet soup´ jumble createdby the ego to protect you. For Freudby the ego to protect you. For Freuddreams were not crazy but perfectlydreams were not crazy but perfectly
logical:logical:
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of resistance):conscious (in the presence of resistance):
1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow weakened.weakened.
You dream about having sex with x, killingYou dream about having sex with x, killingy, looking at z naked, etc. But youry, looking at z naked, etc. But yourmemories of the dream are all scrambled.memories of the dream are all scrambled.This scrambling isThis scrambling is thethe Dream Work Dream Work
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of
resistance):resistance):1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow
weakened.weakened.
The only way to unscramble your
The only way to unscramble yourdreams is to try to figure outdreams is to try to figure out what iswhat is
it that you want to do but keepit that you want to do but keepyourself from thinking about yourself from thinking about ..
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of resistance):resistance):
1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow weakened.weakened.
All of that stuff is somehow locked inAll of that stuff is somehow locked inyour memories of the dream, butyour memories of the dream, butrequire interpretation to bring themrequire interpretation to bring them
about.about.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of resistance):conscious (in the presence of resistance):
1 ) resistance to them is somehow 1 ) resistance to them is somehow weakened.weakened.
Freud thought that the ³censor´ alwaysFreud thought that the ³censor´ alwaysused the same scrambling strategies, soused the same scrambling strategies, sothat some memories of dreams had thethat some memories of dreams had thesame interpretation.same interpretation.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of resistance):conscious (in the presence of resistance):
2 ) they gather ³enough steam´ to beat the2 ) they gather ³enough steam´ to beat theresistance.resistance.
This is pretty simple, since it concerns theThis is pretty simple, since it concerns thecase when the impulse to do somethingcase when the impulse to do somethingbecomes so powerful that it overwhelmsbecomes so powerful that it overwhelmsthe ego.the ego.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of resistance):conscious (in the presence of resistance):
2 ) they gather ³enough steam´ to beat the2 ) they gather ³enough steam´ to beat theresistance.resistance.
Various pathological cases are examplesVarious pathological cases are examplesof this. People just ³lose it´ one day.of this. People just ³lose it´ one day.They ³explode´ and ³go crazy´, etc.They ³explode´ and ³go crazy´, etc.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Let¶s review the ways in which anLet¶s review the ways in which anunconscious instinct can becomeunconscious instinct can becomeconscious (in the presence of conscious (in the presence of resistance):resistance):
3 ) T hey disguise themselves in order 3 ) T hey disguise themselves in order to ³fool the reality principle´ and thusto ³fool the reality principle´ and thus
enter consciousness in a modified enter consciousness in a modified way.way.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
The strategies of deception of theThe strategies of deception of theinstinct or the ³egoinstinct or the ³ego--defensedefensemechanisms´ are the most importantmechanisms´ are the most importantinsight of psychoanalysis.insight of psychoanalysis.
This is Freud¶s most brilliantThis is Freud¶s most brilliantcontribution to the understanding of contribution to the understanding of
the mind (not his theory of dreams).the mind (not his theory of dreams).
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How can an instinct disguise itself inHow can an instinct disguise itself inorder to enter consciousness?order to enter consciousness?Instincts are usually modified in fourInstincts are usually modified in fourprimary ways:primary ways:
1) Their aim is reversed (from active1) Their aim is reversed (from activeto passive, from the subject to theto passive, from the subject to the
object).object).
2) Their object is shifted2) Their object is shifted
3) Their3) Their emotional valenceemotional valence is flippedis flipped
(from positive to negative).(from positive to negative).
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
How can an instinct disguise itself inHow can an instinct disguise itself inorder to enter consciousness?order to enter consciousness?Instincts are usually modified in fourInstincts are usually modified in fourprimary ways:primary ways:
4) their aim is transferred to some4) their aim is transferred to someother aim and their object is shiftedother aim and their object is shifted
to some other object.to some other object.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
From this we can derive the fourFrom this we can derive the fourprimary ³defense mechanisms´ thatprimary ³defense mechanisms´ thatthe ego uses to deal with peskythe ego uses to deal with peskyinstincts that won¶t go away:instincts that won¶t go away:
1) Projection1) Projection
2) Displacement2) Displacement
3) Reaction3) Reaction--FormationFormation
4) Sublimation4) Sublimation
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
P rojectionP rojection involves changing the aiminvolves changing the aimof the mental representation of theof the mental representation of theinstinct from passive to active :instinct from passive to active :
Latent (unconscious) thought:Latent (unconscious) thought:
±± I I want to touchwant to touch himhim! Yeah!! Yeah!
Manifest (conscious) Thought:Manifest (conscious) Thought:
±±H eH e wants to touchwants to touch meme! Yuck!! Yuck!
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Projection for instance is involved inProjection for instance is involved inthe psychoanalytic explanation of the psychoanalytic explanation of various mental phenomena, includingvarious mental phenomena, including
extreme homophobia.extreme homophobia.±±Also, for instance sexual attraction toAlso, for instance sexual attraction to
members of a minority group (which ismembers of a minority group (which islooked down upon) by members of alooked down upon) by members of a
majority group can be dealt with by waymajority group can be dealt with by wayof projection.of projection.
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Projection for instance is involved inProjection for instance is involved inthe psychoanalytic explanation of the psychoanalytic explanation of various mental phenomena, includingvarious mental phenomena, includingextreme homophobia.extreme homophobia.
±±This leads to an ³This leads to an ³oversexualizationoversexualization´ of ´ of the minority group by members of thethe minority group by members of the
majority group.majority group.
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P rojectionP rojection involves changing the aiminvolves changing the aimof the mental representation of theof the mental representation of theinstinct from passive to active :instinct from passive to active :
Latent (unconscious) thought:Latent (unconscious) thought:
±± I I want to touchwant to touch themthem [blacks, Jews,[blacks, Jews,etc.]. Yeah!etc.]. Yeah!
Manifest (conscious) Thought:Manifest (conscious) Thought:±±T hey T hey want to touchwant to touch meme! Yuck!! Yuck!
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P rojectionP rojection involves changing the aiminvolves changing the aimof the mental representation of theof the mental representation of theinstinct from passive to active :instinct from passive to active :
Latent (unconscious) thought:Latent (unconscious) thought:
±± I I wantwant her her !!
Manifest (conscious) Thought:Manifest (conscious) Thought:
±±SheShe WantsWants Me!Me!
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Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of of the instinct is switched from onethe instinct is switched from oneperson/thing to another person/thingperson/thing to another person/thingbut thebut the aimaim remains the same.remains the same.
Latent thought:Latent thought:
±± I want to kill myI want to kill my dad dad !!
Manifest thought:Manifest thought:
±± I want to killI want to kill that dogthat dog!!
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Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of theof theinstinct is switched from one person/thinginstinct is switched from one person/thingto another person/thing but theto another person/thing but the aimaim
remains the same.remains the same.±± Projection is a common defense mechanism forProjection is a common defense mechanism for
children, because a lot of their emotionschildren, because a lot of their emotions(especially negative but also sexual ones) are(especially negative but also sexual ones) are
directed at their parents, who are much moredirected at their parents, who are much morepowerful than they are.powerful than they are.
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Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of theof theinstinct is switched from one person/thinginstinct is switched from one person/thingto another person/thing but theto another person/thing but the aimaim
remains the same.remains the same.±± Therefore these impulses are usually displacedTherefore these impulses are usually displaced
to small animals, younger relatives, or evento small animals, younger relatives, or eveninanimate objects. In pathological cases, thisinanimate objects. In pathological cases, this
can become extreme (i.e. Abused children arecan become extreme (i.e. Abused children areknown to be cruel to animals).known to be cruel to animals).
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of of the instinct is switched from onethe instinct is switched from oneperson/thing to another person/thingperson/thing to another person/thingbut thebut the aimaim remains the same.remains the same.
±±A very special kind of displacement, isA very special kind of displacement, iswhen the object goes from being somewhen the object goes from being some
person/object in the outside world toperson/object in the outside world tobeing a person¶s own self.being a person¶s own self.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of theof theinstinct is switched from one person/thinginstinct is switched from one person/thingto another person/thing but theto another person/thing but the aimaim
remains the same.remains the same.±± This opens up the possibility that you canThis opens up the possibility that you can
direct aggressive/sexual impulses to your owndirect aggressive/sexual impulses to your ownbody. The second case was known in Freud¶sbody. The second case was known in Freud¶s
times astimes as narcissism.narcissism.T
he other case, wasT
he other case, wascalled melancholia. Today is called depression.called melancholia. Today is called depression.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of theof theinstinct is switched from one person/thinginstinct is switched from one person/thingto another person/thing but theto another person/thing but the aimaim
remains the same.remains the same.±± Thus, depression in psychoanalysis is nothingThus, depression in psychoanalysis is nothing
but the displacement of negative affect (hate,but the displacement of negative affect (hate,aggression,aggression, etcetc) originally directed at some) originally directed at some
outside object (parents, friends, brothers, etc.)outside object (parents, friends, brothers, etc.)toward the self.toward the self.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of of the instinct is switched from onethe instinct is switched from oneperson/thing to another person/thingperson/thing to another person/thingbut thebut the aimaim remains the same.remains the same.
±±Suicidal and other common imagery inSuicidal and other common imagery indepression are simply the mentaldepression are simply the mental
representation of aggressive impulsesrepresentation of aggressive impulseswith the self as object.with the self as object.
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of of the instinct is switched from onethe instinct is switched from oneperson/thing to another person/thingperson/thing to another person/thingbut thebut the aimaim remains the same.remains the same.
Latent thought:Latent thought:
±± I want to kill myI want to kill my dad dad !!
Manifest thought:Manifest thought:
±± I want to killI want to kill myself myself !!
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Introducing Psychoanalysis IVIntroducing Psychoanalysis IV
Displacement is when theDisplacement is when the object object of theof theinstinct is switched from one person/thinginstinct is switched from one person/thingto another person/thing but theto another person/thing but the aimaim
remains the same.remains the same.±± Thus it is no surprise, once again that abusedThus it is no surprise, once again that abused
children (who have good reason to want to killchildren (who have good reason to want to killtheir parents) or social categories of peopletheir parents) or social categories of people
who arewho are taught totaught to repress theirrepress their aggressionaggression(e.g.(e.g. Women), are prone to depression.Women), are prone to depression.
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