Volition and Will in Psychoanalysis

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8336374
AutoresW W Meissner (St. Marys Hall Boston College 140 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, autor de correspondencia)
Año2009
Volumen57
Número5
Páginas1123-1156
Fecha de publicación2009-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of the American Psychoanalytic Association (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0003-0651 • E-ISSN: 1941-2460
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0003065109339034
PMID19837855
OpenAlexW1992677981
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas19

To clarify the role and function of the will in psychoanalytic theory and praxis, the use and meaning of the concept of will are traced in the philosophical tradition influencing Freud, in Freud’s own view of will, and in the subsequent history of psychoanalysis. Functions of the will relevant to psychoanalysis are described in terms of intellective preference and executive functioning. Operations of will as an executive function of the ego-self are analyzed, emphasizing will as efficient cause of motivated actions. The will functions to decide, choose, and initiate action directed to motivationally determined goals. The conclusion is drawn that will action is determined and directed by motivational influences, and that will decision and choice, while predominantly secondary process in organization, can operate consciously or unconsciously. Expressions of will action in psychopathology and in the analytic process are briefly discussed

Action (physics) · CLARITY · Cognitive science · Epistemology · Function (biology) · Id, ego and super-ego · Meaning (existential) · Praxis · Process (computing) · Psychoanalysis · Psychoanalytic theory · Psychotherapist · Volition (linguistics) · Computer Science · Philosophy · Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy