Childhood in World War II: German psychoanalysts remember
1Alexander-Mitscherlich Institut for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Kassel, Germany. gertraud@schlesinger-kipp.de
Summary
German psychoanalysts born 1930-1945 faced developmental challenges shaped by societal responses to collective guilt. Their training analysts may have unconsciously participated in this societal dynamic.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychoanalysis
- Sociology
Background:
- Examines the impact of post-WWII German societal dynamics on a specific cohort of psychoanalysts.
- Focuses on individuals born between 1930 and 1945, who came of age during a period of collective guilt and historical silence.
Observation:
- Investigates how societal responses to collective guilt (self-idealization, self-acquittal, or avoidance) influenced psychoanalysts' development.
- Utilizes questionnaire data and follow-up interviews to gather insights from this generation.
Findings:
- Psychoanalysts perceived their training analysts (older generation) as having been involved in societal patterns of collective guilt or self-idealization.
- Highlights the intergenerational transmission of unresolved societal trauma and defense mechanisms within the psychoanalytic community.
Implications:
- Suggests that unresolved societal trauma can shape the professional identity and practice of psychoanalysts.
- Underscores the importance of addressing collective historical experiences in understanding psychoanalytic development and dynamics.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...
01:26Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Anal
Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development describes the anal stage as occurring between 18 months and three years of age. During this period, children derive pleasure from controlling and releasing their bowel movements. However, they quickly learn that societal expectations impose restrictions on when and where this can happen. This stage marks a critical point where children begin to develop a sense of control and mastery over their bodily functions, as well as their broader...
01:14Psychosexual Theory of Development
Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory of development suggests that early childhood experiences significantly shape personality and behavior. Freud proposed that development is discontinuous, occurring in five distinct stages, each defined by a focus on different erogenous zones. He believed that failure to resolve the conflicts specific to each stage successfully could result in fixation, potentially influencing behavior as adults.
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
01:26Freudian Psychology
Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist born in 1856, significantly influenced psychology through his exploration of the unconscious mind. His interest in patients suffering from hysteria and neurosis — conditions without apparent physical causes — led him to theorize the existence of an unconscious mind, a repository for feelings and urges beyond our awareness. Freud's innovative approach included techniques such as dream analysis, free association, and attention to slips of the tongue to...
01:12Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Phallic
The third stage of psychosexual development proposed by Freud is the phallic stage, occurring between the ages of 3 and 6. During this period, children become aware of their bodies and the differences between males and females. The erogenous zone in this stage is the genitals, and conflicts arise as children develop desires toward the opposite-sex parent. Boys experience the Oedipus complex, where they desire their mother and view their father as a rival. This leads to castration anxiety, the...
01:16Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral
The oral stage is the initial phase of Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, occurring from birth to approximately 12 to 18 months. During this period, the infant's mouth serves as the primary source of pleasure, with actions such as sucking, chewing, biting, and drinking playing a crucial role in reducing tension. These activities are essential not only for nourishment but also for the infant's psychological and emotional satisfaction.
Weaning, typically occurring around the age...
Weaning, typically occurring around the age...