#567 - Dr Jonathan Shedler - 14 Psychoanalytical Concepts To Understand Yourself
Dec 19, 2022
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Dr. Jonathan Shedler, a clinical professor of psychiatry at UC, unpacks the depths of our psyche and the hidden struggles we face. He discusses the paradox of moral masochism, shedding light on how suffering can mistakenly boost our sense of worth. The conversation dives into projection, revealing how we often misplace our undesirable traits onto others, and the dangers of black-and-white thinking in relationships. Shedler also explores performative empathy in modern society and how reaction formation complicates our true emotions, encouraging greater self-awareness.
Recognize obscured aspects of the mind for clarity in psychoanalytic psychology.
Constructing a false self from external influences impacts personal growth.
Transference, projection, and projective identification influence relationships and behaviors.
Deep dives
Understanding Psychoanalytic Psychology and Self-Knowledge
Psychoanalytic psychology emphasizes the importance of recognizing the obscured aspects of our minds to gain clarity. It delves into the reasons behind people believing their suffering makes them more moral than others. The discussion revolves around exploring unconscious mental processes and their impact on behavior.
The Development of False Self and Its Implications
The concept of a false self originates from early childhood experiences where individuals may adopt identities imposed by external influences instead of discovering their true selves. This false identity is constructed to meet the needs of others rather than nurturing one's authentic expression, creating a lasting impact on personal growth and self-awareness.
Transference, Projection, and Projective Identification in Relationships
Transference, projection, and projective identification influence how individuals perceive and interact with others based on past relational patterns. Transference involves responding to present individuals as if they were linked to past figures, while projection entails attributing one's unacceptable traits onto others. Projective identification takes projection a step further by provoking behaviors in others that validate the initial projected traits, often leading to complex dynamics in relationships and interactions.
Group Dynamics and Projection of Goodness/Badness
People find validation in groups that project goodness or badness onto individuals, leading to diverse experiences of the same person. This projection affects how individuals are perceived within the group dynamics, with some being heroized while others are vilified. The group dynamic reinforces beliefs of moral superiority, perpetuating toxic behaviors.
Therapeutic Relationships and Unconscious Processes
Psychoanalytic therapy focuses on uncovering unconscious conflicts and repeating patterns in relationships. Therapy aims to bring these hidden aspects to light by examining the therapeutic relationship itself. Patients are encouraged to express grievances or needs within the therapy relationship, mirroring patterns from external relationships. By addressing these dynamics openly, therapy aims to offer insights that can lead to personal growth and improved interpersonal interactions.
Dr Jonathan Shedler is a psychologist, author, master clinician and clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California.
We do not understand ourselves. Almost all of what is inside of our minds is obscured from us. We don't need to exclusively despair though. With a little work and some good insights from psychoanalysis, the view can be made a little clearer.
Expect to learn why people believe that their suffering makes them more moral than others, how you can create a false identity without realising, the ruthless danger of projective identification, how come it's easier for us to see people as either good or bad, how extreme envy can manifest, the manipulative strategies we all enact without thinking and much more...