annotated bibliography on neo freudianism

Axelrod, S. D. (2012). "Self-awareness: At the interface of executive development and psychoanalytic therapy. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 32(4), 340–357.

In “Executive Development and Psychoanalytic Therapy,” Axelrod (2012) focuses on the singular concept of self-awareness, from a psychoanalytic point of view. Self-awareness, or self-knowledge, is a traditional and established goal of the psychoanalytic therapeutic process. Through psychoanalysis, the client gains insight into his or her own psyche, thereby initiating a self-driven change that has the potential to transform lives. Related concepts include self-monitoring, which can be used outside of the therapeutic relationship, as well as in therapy. Self-monitoring requires the invocation of an executive self, an aspect of the ego. Self-reflection is presented as a process that promotes self-awareness, but which is ideally promoted, guided, and enhanced by the therapist.

Axelrod (2012) focuses on emotional awareness, which can be connected to emotional intelligence. The author takes the research a step further by applying it to leadership development. Finally, the author suggests ways therapists can incorporate self-awareness methods and techniques. Specific types of activities in therapy can be used to stimulate self-reflection, self-monitoring, and ultimately, self-awareness. This article exemplifies applied psychoanalysis, and is suitable for integration with related sources on neo-Freudianism.

Hall, C. S., & Lindzey, G. (1957). Social psychological theories: Adler, Fromm, Horney, and Sullivan. In Theories of personality (pp. 114-156). Hoboken

As the title suggests, this chapter covers the social psychological theories of Adler, Fromm, Horney, and Sullivan. Although not a true primary source, this is nevertheless a classic reference for understanding neo-Freudian theorists and their work. The gist of this chapter is to distill the core elements of these four theorists to show how they each drew from the work of Freud to present a new and updated psychoanalytic perspective. Each of these theorists capitalized on Freud’s research on the subconscious and unconscious, as well as human development. Instead of focusing on psychosexual stages or sexual hang-ups, these theorists stressed other psychological issues including interpersonal relationships, attachment styles, and coping mechanisms. Jung added to the discussion a deeper investigation of dreams, focusing on the concept of the collective consciousness as a repository of cultural symbols. However, Hall & Lindzey (1957) also stress Jung’s contributions to personality theory. Not an experimental study, Hall & Lindzey’s (1957) work is meaningful in that it encapsulates the major issues that emerged in the post-Freudian era.

This source acknowledges Freud’s contributions to social psychology, which are frequently overlooked. What is interesting about the Hall & Lindzey (1957) analysis is that the authors show how Adler, Fromm, Horney, and Sullivan became interested in humanistic issues like self-realization. The concept of self-realization was only implicit in Freud’s work, which was more focused on the processes and structures of the subconscious mind.

Scaturo, D. J. (2005). Clinical dilemmas in psychotherapy: A transtheoretical approach to psychotherapy integration. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Chapter 8 in Scaturo’s (2005) Clinical Dilemmas in Psychotherapy focuses on elements of the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process, including transference, countertransference, and resistance, collectively referred to as “Unconscious Determinants of Dilemmas.” Therefore, this chapter addresses unique elements of neo-Freudian theory, specifically as it relates to therapy and clinical decisions. The emphasis on clinical dilemmas allows for a richer understanding of clinical reasoning. As with other sections of the book, Chapter 8 is trans-theoretical, allowing for a multifaceted and nuanced approach to traditional Freudian subjects like transference and countertransference. The chapter addresses the interface between an individual and his or her environment, and discusses the general issues that arise between client and therapist when interpersonal and transpersonal dilemmas arise, most notably transference and countertransference.

The processes of transference and countertransference arise as both the client and therapist engage one another, using their ingrained patterns of communication. Scaturo (2005) discusses the tendency of clients to struggle between the poles of approach and avoidance, thus conceptualizing transference and transference in broader terms than just the intimate personal connection. When transference and countertransference issues arise, many therapists will extricate themselves from the relationship rather than working through the deeper issues.

Weaver, Y. (2009). Mid-life - A time of crisis or new possibilities? Existential Analysis, 20(1), 69–78.

In “Mid-life - A time of crisis or new possibilities?” Weaver (2009) applies a neo-Freudian approach to the specific issues and conflicts related to mid-life crises. Mid-life crises are defined by periods of intense self-doubt, according to Weaver (2009). The mid-life crisis has a potent emotional component. Central to the mid-life crisis is the realization that life is “half over,” (Weaver, 2009, p. 69). The individual may struggle with fear of mortality or feelings of inadequacy. Stress is common, due to the dichotomy between one’s self-concept or ideals, and reality. The client reflects on life’s achievements compared with what one intended to achieve. According to Weaver (2009), the mid-life crisis can occur any time between the ages of 35 and 50 and can last any amount of time but usually between three and ten years. As much as it is pragmatically useful, the Weaver (2009) article also helps address the theoretical underpinnings of the mid-life crisis from the perspective of neo-Freudian developmental psychology.
Although it is theoretical and not experimental, this research contributes to an overall understanding of the topic. The authorcompares and contrasts Freud's view on middle age, Jung's view of individuation, Frankl's idea of finding meaning in life, Rogers’s concept of personal growth, and Erikson’s and Peck's views of middle age as a stage of development. Finding meaning in life is a central issue, which epitomizes the neo-Freudian era.

Week 6 Outline

Psychotherapy is one of the most important and well-researched treatment interventions. However, there are as many different models of psychotherapy as there are different medical interventions. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between different psychotherapeutic models.
I. Psychotherapy versus other treatment strategies
A. What is psychotherapy?
1. Freudian/psychoanalysis
2. Neo-Freudian
B. What are other therapeutic interventions?
1. Cognitive-behavioral
2. Humanistic
3. Positive psychology
C. Compare/Contrast
1. Psychotherapy and transference/countertransference (Scaturo, 2005)
2. The concept of clinical dilemmas (Scaturo, 2005)
3. Is it possible to measure effectiveness, given the differences between individual clients?

II. The development of treatment strategies as they relate to the growth of psychology as a helping science.
A. The role of self-awareness in psychotherapy, and how psychotherapy promotes self-awareness (Axelrod, 2012)
B. Why self-awareness is important (Axelrod, 2012)
C. Self-realization (Hall & Lindzey, 1957)
D. Self-actualization and the mid-life crisis (Weaver, 2009)

When taken as a whole, literature on psychotherapy shows how theory and practice evolve over time in reaction to scientific research and other issues like changing values and norms. Psychotherapy remains a critical intervention because it promotes self-awareness. In fact, one of the most salient themes in the literature is self-awareness, as a primary goal of psychotherapy. Self-awareness is sparked by self-reflection, which is dependent on the therapeutic relationship. Moreover, self-awareness can lead to self-realization and self-actualization, which can mitigate the problems associated with a mid-life crisis. While mid-life crisis is only one example of the benefits of a psychotherapeutic model, the mid-life crisis epitomizes the importance of self-awareness.


References
Axelrod, S. D. (2012). "Self-awareness: At the interface of executive development and psychoanalytic therapy. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 32(4), 340–357.
Hall, C. S., & Lindzey, G. (1957). Social psychological theories: Adler, Fromm, Horney, and Sullivan. In Theories of personality (pp. 114-156). Hoboken
Scaturo, D. J. (2005). Clinical dilemmas in psychotherapy: A transtheoretical approach to psychotherapy integration. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Weaver, Y. (2009). Mid-life - A time of crisis or new possibilities? Existential Analysis, 20(1), 69–78.