Theory has always been one of the most interesting aspects of education in Psychology,
although studies show tthat it is almost impossible to asertain the theoretical orientation of
the therapist by observing them in practice. This is not so much as to say that theory and practice
are widely at variance as to say that they are two unrelated fields.
However, when I first began studying the subject I had a fairly good instructor. She was not very
adept in theory and certainly was no scholar, but she did stimulate discussion and thought and allowed
the student to progress as rapidly as possible without obstruction. She would also help those who
were cognitively handicapped.
I just happened to come across some of the earlier writings in did in that class (before I had any
background or training in the field). I thought they might be interesting to someone out there just starting
out in the field or interested in teaching the course for the first time. Here is the one on Freud:
Probably the most listed positive aspect of Freud's approach is that he is the first, the pioneer. Unfortunately, this statement could also become his unique contribution and the most-liked aspect of his theory. In general, the theory is considered superseded by subsequent theories. However, we might as well say the same about Newton.
Freud postulated that there is some sort of driving force (libido) that seeks to manifest itself through us (libido). The first part of our consciousness that expresses this drive is the Id. However, society will not tolerate every individual's expressing that urge directly, so it prescribes values to check the Id and this system of values becomes ingrained in the mind and is called the Superego. The individual seeks to mediate between these two forces through the Ego. The ego is developed in stages, each associated with a specific biological task (or, in later versions such as Erickson's social task). Unresolved conflicts in these stages of developments are called complexes and they are often repressed into the unconscious. These repressed, unconscious conflicts cause inadequate ego functioning or neuroses. It is the task of the therapist to bring these unresolved conflicts to the conscious level. From there, presumably, the patient is able to deal with them and reconstruct the ego and thus function more optimally.
3.d.: Concepts and techniques I want to incorporate.
I do not see myself using any of the techniques such as complete non-disclosure nor would I be looking for early childhood problems unless my client was a child. I think that it is important to separate diagnosis from treatment here.
However, I think that most clients would have some sort of conflict between Id and Superego to resolve, at least the normal dichotomy between what they want to do and what they feel they ought to do. Quite often, what they feel they ought to do should be examined. Another concept not really explored in Corey is the dichotomy between Thanatos and Eros, between restraint and desire. There are definite social constraints placed on the individual that force repression of the libidinous forces which society, by and large, has labeled negatively. To what extent can the individual be helped to separate external and internal repression? And what external or socially induced repressions can the individual manage to ignore? To some extent, this reconciles Freud with Ellis (examining irrational beliefs) and that is where I would be concentrating.
3.e.: Personal application.
An attempt at self-psychoanalysis in a page or less seems a bit self-defeating. However, Freud might say that I developed an oral fixation manifesting itself through talking, smoking, and liking to drink just about anything. In the anal stage something happened as my office often shows signs of the primordial chaos. During the phallic stage, my guilt as a result of an Oedipal fixation on my mother led me first to want to kill my father but I "joined" him instead as my personality, beliefs, and intellectual curiosity were characteristics of him.
If I were to analyze myself using the terminology, on the other hand, I'd say that early on I had realized the Superego structure my mother and the church (which also was her idea) was self-defeating and that I had reconstructed it more along the model of my father. One other contribution he made was to introduce me to reading and through that numerous other sources for refutation of traditional superego concepts and a knowledge that society uses guilt to police its members and repress them.
Individuals also use this Superego structure to manipulate others. An excellent example is an insurance salesman selling life insurance. He is trying to play on guilt feelings ("Don't you love your family? What if you were gone? How can you live with yourself if you don't buy this?"). A way to attack this is to think of it as a bet. They are betting you that you will live. If you die, you win the bet.
At the current time, I believe that one secret to a content life is the facility to make what one needs to do also what one wants to do.
3.f.: Questions to pursue further.
I believe that there will be a growing interest in the area of spirituality. I am not referring to traditional monotheistic preoccupations, but to any sort of "supernatural" answer to anything. We know, for example, that the client's belief in the therapist is a paramount factor in adjustment. To what extent is this similar to "faith-healing?" The ability to reconcile Superego and Id, to make them identical, to "sublimate," so to speak, is a characteristic of Zen in which I have some interest. It is the ability to focus on the immediate and concrete to the extent of identification with the concrete which seems to me something that can be achieved through meditation and other such exercises. What I have already pursued is attacking irrational Superego mandates through logical attacks on them.
In short, the Freudian terminology works, helps one to focus on problems, gives names to processes and forces we all share, uncovers the truth that we all have conflicts or problems we have not resolved. The specific causes of those conflicts and the specific solutions to them are what is unique, not universal. To some extent, however, they are caused by an irrational belief in socially imposed dicta.
No comments:
Post a Comment