Question

Discuss one main difference between modern psychoanalytic theory and Freud's theory of psychoanalysis.

Answer 1

The modern psychoanalytic theory is based on the theory used by Hyman Spotnitz to describe the techniques he developed for the treatment of narcissistic disorders.

Narcissism is a state in which unexpressed aggression and hostility are trapped within the psychic apparatus with corrosive effects on mind and body. The bottled up aggression is turned against the self by a weak and undeveloped ego that is not capable of handling the stress of hateful feelings. The techniques of modern psychoanalysis are aimed at allowing the ego to direct aggression outward in productive ways and at protecting a fragile ego against the self-attack seen in cases ranging from schizophrenia, depression, and somatization to neurotic forms of self-sabotage. This is accomplished by helping the patient to "say everything."

Whereas, Freudian theory concentrates on the roles of the Id, Ego, and Superego. This theory is began the whole Psychology foundation and focuses mostly on the unconscious motives of an individual. For therapy, Psychologist use the talk therapy, when the patient sits in a chair and tell the Psychologist his or her problems. This theory uses dream analysis, free word association, and Ink Blot test to uncover the unconscious motives of the person. In Freud's beliefs, we are all driven by either sex or violence. This theory isn't used as much as before when it first arised in the early 1900s. Psychologist go for a eclectic approach, by using Freudian, Behavioristic, and Humanisitic approaches in treating patients.