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A reading of Freud's Papers on Technique
1Department of Psychiatry, New York Hospital, Cornell University Medical Center.
The Psychoanalytic Quarterly
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Freud's Papers on Technique offers a practical approach to psychoanalytic treatment, balancing memory retrieval with wish integration. This foundational work teaches analysts to manage patient consciousness by dividing it into passionate experience and detached contemplation.
Area of Science:
- Psychoanalytic theory and practice
- Psychodynamic psychology
- History of psychology
Background:
- Freud's Papers on Technique (1911-1915) is a seminal text in psychoanalysis.
- The work presents a duality: treatment as memory-retrieval versus stirring up and integrating wishes.
Observation:
- The text appears theoretically inconsistent, blending older and newer psychoanalytic concepts.
- This inconsistency may stem from Freud's focus on practical application rather than pure theory.
Findings:
- Freud prioritized a practical advantage in psychoanalytic technique.
- The Papers teach analysts to differentiate between passionate patient experience and detached contemplation.
Implications:
- This division of consciousness, despite potential manipulation, is crucial for the analytic stance.
- Understanding this ambivalence enhances the effectiveness of psychoanalytic treatment.