Psychoanalysis — a contextual lecture
5 min readJan 9, 2021
Psychoanalysis is defined as a set of theories and therapeutic techniques which are used to study the unconscious mind. This was all made possible by the late Sigmund Freud, carried on by many further practitioners within the psychology field. There are many types of techniques classified within the psychoanalytic subject, including Rorschach Inkblots, the Freudian Slip, Free Association and Dream Analysis to name the most common. These techniques would be carefully distributed accordingly with each patients needs, with the aim of releasing repressed emotions and experiences or in simple terms to make the unconscious, conscious. Typically speaking, it would take the average patient 2 to 5 sessions a week for several years to properly cure a patient. However, I want to take this opportunity to go through each and every method used.
Rorschach Inkblots are the first method we will be talking about. The name deriving from its creator Hermann Rorschach in 1921, Rorschach Inkblots are purely interpretation are used to determine ones personality traits and emotional function. The Inkblot itself doesn’t stand for anything, but it’s the interpretation in which the subject describes and specifies once shown. Personally, I have seen these used before and I think they typically work and are effective in most situations, but they have found their fair share of criticism. Most notably from B.F.Skinner, a fellow American psychologist graduating from Harvard, in which he criticised this method for being subjective and not scientific. Whether or not you agree with Skinner, there is no denying that the method is obviously effective in understanding patients otherwise it wouldn’t be considered a key method within Psychoanalysis.
The second method used in Psychoanalysis is what’s called the Freudian Slip. Also known as parapraxis, the Freudian Slip is an error in speech, memory or physical action that occurs due to interference of the unconscious mind — the internal train of thought. Although this isn’t technically a method used by psychologists as this event can happen at anytime, there is no denying that a slip of the tongue is an indicator of how thoughts from the unconscious mind can be transferred to the conscious mind. The slip of the tongue reveals what is really on our mind, which in certain situations can lead us into sticky situations.
Free Association is the penultimate method I will be talking about associated with Psychoanalysis. Free Association is a simple concept really — the patient talks to the psychologist about whatever comes into their mind. A typical exercise within this method would be where the psychologist/therapist would name a word and then the patient will immediately respond with the first word that enters their mind first. This exercise is to actively make aware of the subjects unconscious mind, allowing the psychologist/therapist to see the true state of the patients emotional connection to certain aspects of their life. However, without the patients co-operation, this method would not be useful. Alternatively, a strong pause means that the therapist is getting close to some important information that could lead to a repressed fear. This will lead the patient to relive an emotionally vivid memory or experience therefore allowing the psychologist/therapist to understand what the patient is feeling and how they are able to put a plan in place to resolve the issue.
Dream Analysis is the 4th and final method that I will be talking about associated with Psychoanalysis. According to Freud himself, dream analysis is ‘the royal road to the unconscious’. Our dreams are the biggest source of our unconscious mind. Repressed ideas and fears come to surface but could be altered during the course of sleep. Reciting back dreams to psychologists/therapists will allow them to pick a part the real from the fantasy, which is needed in order to find the problem. This method is very time consuming due to the nature of not being able to provide a quick answer to the problem. This method is also very expensive as patients must be prepared to invest over a longer period of time to find the root of the problem.
You may be wondering how does this relate to graphic design, but I found a few examples of work which have taken different interpretations. Netflix documentary ‘The Social Dilemma’ focuses on the social aspects of how people’s personalities can be altered/changed due to social presence, ‘Sleep’ a painting by the late and great Salvador Dali depicts an interpretation of what one of his reoccurring dreams may have looked like, and even set design ‘Dream Sequence’ from Spellbound — an Alfred Hitchcock film depicts surrealism, all of which cannot be explained in the real world but rather in the dream world. I could include hundreds of other works that are influenced by the subject of Psychoanalysis, but I am convinced that you will find it boring — or will you rejoice, all subject to opinion.
