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Unconscious fantasy: a once and future concept
1Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, USA. belitowitz@aol.com
Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association
|April 17, 2007
Summary
Unconscious fantasy remains central to psychoanalysis, adaptable to diverse theories and compatible with developmental research. This concept integrates cognitive processes with motivated purposes, bridging psychoanalytic thought and neuroscience.
Area of Science:
- Psychoanalysis
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The concept of unconscious fantasy is fundamental to psychoanalytic theory.
- Theoretical pluralism and integration of academic research pose challenges to this concept.
- Post-Freudian contributions have evolved the concept, enhancing its flexibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reexamine the concept of unconscious fantasy in light of theoretical pluralism and empirical research.
- To assess the compatibility of unconscious fantasy with findings from child development and cognitive neuroscience.
- To demonstrate how general cognitive processes serve motivated purposes within psychoanalytic frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Review of post-Freudian theoretical contributions to unconscious fantasy.
- Examination of features of primary process thinking.
- Analysis of research findings from child development and cognitive neuroscience.
Main Results:
- The evolved concept of unconscious fantasy is flexible and accommodates multiple theoretical perspectives.
- A model of early mentation based on adult dream work is not supported by early development research.
- Contemporary unconscious fantasy aligns with findings in child development and cognitive neuroscience.
Conclusions:
- Unconscious fantasy is a viable concept for contemporary psychoanalysis, adaptable to theoretical diversity.
- Psychoanalysis can engage in dialogue with child development and cognitive neuroscience.
- Understanding unconscious fantasy involves recognizing how general cognitive processes are utilized for motivated goals.
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