An Elementary Textbook of Psychoanalysis

by Charles Brenner

This standard introduction to psycho-analysis has been thoroughly revised to clarify and refine the concepts presented, and two new chapters have been added. Comprehensive and lucid, Dr. Brenner's volume is the indispensable orientation to the subject for both laymen and students.

Genres: Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Brett Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had been years since I had read any proper primary or secondary sources on Freudian theory. Saw this on my therapist's shelf o' books and dug the fuck in. Actually, this was a title that I myself had owned since having taken a seminar on psychoanalytic theory back in college, but I am old as dirt/the hills ERGO (needing to revisit this stuff).

He writes well and clearly enough, though I am not certain whether one wholly unfamiliar with this stuff would find it undifficult/frustrating. In short, it does a fine job explicating the fundamental contours of the theory, specifics be what they may (but he goes over those to, just not in as orderly/systematic/schematic a way as some may like). The ego is some sort of awful compromise of id and outer reality. Survival dictates we regulate ourselves/conduct. It's interesting, because we so often forget how easily we could regress to a state of affairs w/o consequence. But we're the ones constantly making that decision out of necessity, not from some ideal. Out of this come neuroses (one's whole life as neurotically informed; mental wellness depending on how well integrated one is). Anyway, he goes over the defense mechanisms, the centrality of anxiety, the sexual developmental phases...and plenty of examples of how Oedipal conflict(s) from childhood are pure trauma, how we all sort of ambivalent about our families (or sexually desirous; which is interesting to think of simultaneously wanting to fuck and kill your siblings...I mean, I guess I'd feel ambivalent, too).

So I'd say the biggest *whatever* moment in reading this was how reductive and unscientific (he claims psychoanalysis to be a science!) it is for Brenner to look at everything through the prism of childhood sexuality (which is also to say that this is very much a book of Freudian psychoanalysis, not whatever may have developed subsequently). But these are all common and necessary rejoinders to Freud anyway, so *whatever* redux. An interesting chapter on humor and wit. Some filler towards the end related to how Freudian theory relates to politics, religion, art.

The fact is that this is going to give the reader a very good feel for the dynamics of Freudian theory, for the energy therein, the conflictual energy therein, and an overall comprehensive and example rich understanding of the all-important id/ego/superego structure.

[Jacquline Ard · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who only knew only the minimal basics of Freud's work, I was definitely in for some lessons. The copyright is from 1955, so I can only imagine how much is significantly outdated. Charles Brenner clearly states that this book is meant for professionals such as psychiatrists, doctors, etc - clearly, I am not one.

I have gathered many opinions after reading this vintage book.

I have noticed how true it is that the unconscious mind is still pulling some strings in the background while we may think that our consciousness is in control. One example used was how a helicopter parent honestly believes (conscious) that they are caring and careful with their child, but some part of them - small or large - actually aims to have complete control (unconscious).

This is something I am attempting to understand about myself since I have realized that I should probably dig up as much of my unconscious attachments, desires, and fears so that maybe I can manipulate my own unconsciousness. I am not entirely sure of my chosen methods, and I am not sure if this is a reasonable idea, but that is why I finally decided to read this old book that I've had stored for a decade or so.

Never before has it seemed so important to understand how my own ego conflicts with my id and superego. The way I see it, the id is a sexual beast, the superego is a critical, moralistic adult, and the ego is a child or adolescent attempting to do the right thing while still "getting off".

What I don't really care for is Freud's theory that everything is driven by unconscious sexual gratification or the sexual developmental stages of oral, anal, and phallic of a child. It may just make me somewhat uncomfortable...

I collected several interesting quotes:

"..the weapons he uses in his games and fantasies, such as spears, arrows, guns, etc., can be shown by analysis to represent his penis in his unconscious thought. It appears, therefore, that in his fantasies he is unconsciously destroying his enemies with his powerful and dangerous penis."

"Play with feces is no longer an accessible form of discharge of cathexis because it has been forbidden, so the child, because of the mobility of the cathexis attached to psychic representatives of its feces, can obtain the same gratification by shifting the cathexis to mud and achieving discharge of cathexis by playing with mud instead."

"The excessive repression presumably created by an unstable situation, so that in later in life, as the result of some precipitating event, the repression failed and unwanted, infantile, sexual impulses escaped from repression, at least in part, and gave rise to psychoneurotic symptoms."

"For instance, a pair of sisters in a dream nearly always stood for some thoughts about breasts, a journey or absence stood for death, money stood for feces, and so on."

"...these mental illnesses were the psychic consequence of a sexual seduction in childhood by an adult or an older child. On the basis of his experience he further suggested that if the patient had taken an active role in the pathogenic, or, as it came to be called, the traumatic, sexual experience of childhood, his later, psychoneurotic symptomatology was obsessional. If, on the other hand a passive one, his later symptoms were hysterical."

Of more interest to me was how my ego may be repressing any odd id impulses from my consciousness. I think it's scary that it could potentially cause the ego to lose power to the more animalistic id with long-term repression. Apparently, as someone who is kind to animals, I may actually be a sadist in disguise.

Since I approve of capital punishment, it seems that I am really repressing my impulse to forgive and save the forsaken (Brenner didn't bring this one up). It's a guess.

This brings me to something very dear to my unconscious: projection. Do I go around associating my own feelings and thoughts with how I imagine others feel or think of me or something else? Check. Do I judge others harshly based on my own personal beliefs because I fear being similar? Check. Do I idolize people, objects, or ideas because they embody everything I wish I was? Check.

I am literally sh-tting on others:

"We know from psychoanalytically guided observations that the small child considers its feces to be a part of its own body and it appears that when projection is used as a defense mechanism the user unconsciously tries to rid himself of his unwanted mental contents as though they were intestinal contents."

The real gem was the libido related to parents such as wanting "to be grown up and to 'be daddy' or 'do what daddy does' to mother." I had never heard of boys fearing castration while girls have penis envy. I am aware that all humans have some level of feminine and masculine energy, but I wouldn't agree that bisexuality is the norm.

There was a story about a woman unconsciously wanting to be impregnated by her father and another about a man unconsciously wanting to be woman impregnated by his father.

I don't know what to think.

Maybe that's my superego judging Freud.

Certainly, my own parents had an influence on my superego, for better or worse.

I could also see where low self-esteem is related to guilt of some kind, but it would have to be serious for it to manifest in childhood. I like the term introjection because I have experience identifying with a group or label, and I could imagine that affects beliefs and ethical behavior in the superego.

If I understood correctly, an id influence on the ego allows all types of behaviors, even a loss of control, while a superego influence shames and controls the ego. Either imbalance would result in ego repression. So, the ego ran by the id is repressing feelings of shame or wrongdoing while the ego ran by the superego is repressing the instinct to do whatever.

And while I have heard of the importance of integration, it seems as if it might be an uphill battle if the id, ego, or/and superego may all resist that integration of parts.

I admit that I skipped over the chapter about dreams. I just don't think they symbolize anything significant. I mean, they may be an emotional expression of any satisfying or unsatisfying things happening in life, but I do believe they are mostly random.

I think that my id may be very wild, and I think my superego is looking for punishment. Yes, my poor ego suffers from anal and oral fixations due to quite a number of repressions or the inability to discharge sexual instincts, apparently. I wouldn't have guessed that before - well, somewhat.

If anything, I found this book entertaining. I'm about to go satisfy my anal and oral fixation with a chocolate bar. I can say that with confidence.

[Anas · Rating 4 out of 5]

من أهم الكتب التي تفصل في المفاهيم الأساسية للتحليل النفسي , ممتاز كبداية لمن يريد التوسع في هذا المجال

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a textbook in the traditional sense, but useful to read for the person interested in the psychoanalytic aesthetic of the mid 1950s. Obviously dated, but still useful as a general overview of basic analytic theory, unless you want to read Freud.

[Belen (f.k.a. La Mala ✌)]

"'...en sus fantasías se lo encuentra destruyendo a sus enemigos con su poderoso y peligroso pene."


Aca se fueron dos meses de mi vida que nunca voy a recuperar.

Estoy tan feliz de haber decidido NO ESTUDIAR PSICOLOGÍA. Si tuviera que leer esta clase de manuales de por vida...

Como diría la gran Scarlett O'Hara : " Si tuviese que pensar todas estas cosas que piensan los hombres, de seguro mi cabeza explotaría!!"

(chiste duh, Scarlett se hacía la tonta, por si no leyeron Lo que el viento...Pero, igual, seguro mi cerebro se derretiría o algo, si estuviese obligada a leer a Freud y a todos estos...

Aguante LENGUAAAAAA!! (lengua en inglés, obvio)

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Primary and secondary processes, cathexis, psychic energy, id and ego....Great text on psychoanalysis.

[Ioannis Charalampopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Από το καλύτερα βιβλία για να ξεκινήσει κάποιος ένα συστηματικό ταξίδι στον κόσμο της ψυχολογίας (ο τίτλος είναι ελαφρώς ατυχής)

[Nikolai Forrestwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das vorliegende Buch ist inzwischen ein Klassiker unter der Sekundärliteratur zur Freudschen Psychonanalyse geworden und brilliert besonders durch seine klaren Formulierungen und mit Beispielen gespickten Ausführungen. Da die Originaltexte Freuds sehr umfangreich sind und die Psychoanalyse über die Jahrzehnte stetig Veränderungen und Abwandlungen unterworfen gewesen ist, und Freud seine eigene Metapyschologie immer wieder überarbeitet und revidiert hat, bietet das Buch von Charles Brenner einen hervorragenden Überblick über die Kernelemente der späten Psychoanalyse. Der Autor bemüht sich dabei darum die historische Entwicklung des Freudschen Gedankenguts darzulegen. So gut wie alle wichtigen und bekannten Begriffe Freuds die man eventuell schon mal irgendwo gehört hat treten auf und werden erläutert und in Zusammenhang gebracht; Triebe, Libido, Aggressionstrieb, Sexualtrieb, Es, Ich, Über-Ich, Strukturmodell, Orale Phase, Anale Phase, Phallische Phase, Genitale Phase, Traumdeutung, Verdrängung, Vatermord, Kastrationsangst, Ödipuskomplex, Penisneid etc. Eine Ausnahme von dieser Regel bietet zum Beispiel der Todestrieb der zwar erwähnt, aufgrund der historischen Entwicklung der Freudschen Theorie aber nicht näher behandelt wird. Die Umfangsreichste Behandlung (ca 100 Seiten) kommt dem Strukturmodell der Psyche (Es, Ich, Über-Ich) zu, dass auf dem Verständnis der Grundlagen der Triebtheorie aufbaut und den Weg bahnt für die folgenden Erläuterungen zur Traumdeutung, den Psychosen und Charakterzügen sowie den Ausführungen zum normalen Psychischen Leben. Abwandlungen der ursprünglichen, Freudschen, Psychoanalytischen Theorie(n), beispielsweise durch Melanie Klein oder Jacques Lacan, werden nicht diskutiert. Das Buch nach der heutigen klinischen Bedeutung der Psychoanalyse, oder ihrer Wissenschaftlichkeit bzw. Unwissenschaftlichkeit, zu bewerten, wird dem Text meiner Ansicht nach nicht gerecht. Es entstand vor beinahe 70 Jahren und seitdem hat sich die Psychologie gewandelt. Charles Brenner war selbst ein Psychoanaltiker und war dementsprechend überzeugt von der Wissenschaftlichkeit und Richtigkeit des auf Freud zurückgehenden Theoriegebäudes. Eine Einführung ist meines Erachtens danach zu bewerten wie gut sie ihre Rolle als Einführung in ein entsprechendes Thema erfüllt. Diesem Kriterium folgend spreche ich meine Empfehlung an jeden aus der sich für das komplexe und interessante Thema der Psychoanalyse interessiert. Ganz gleich ob man mit Freud übereinstimmt, seine Arbeiten für unwissenschaftliche Hirngespinste hält, oder Irgendetwas dazwischen. Der Einfluss, den die Psychoanalyse auf das 20. Jahrhundert ausübte ist unbestreitbar.

[Débora · Rating 3 out of 5]

eu encontrei muitas similaridades na forma como brenner apresenta freud e como o mesmo se apresenta. eles escrevem parecido rs mas no que tangem alguns conceitos essenciais pro entendimento do aparelho psíquico e seu desenvolvimento, ao menos nesse meu começo de estudos em psicanálise, o brenner - somado à supervisão da minha residência em cima desse próprio livro - mostrou-se útil para pautarmos algumas aulas em cima de seus capítulos, norteando as discussões de maneira mais didática. ajudou então recomendo :)

[Wiliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro clássico para introdução a psicanálise que cumpre a promessa do que é usualmente anunciado sobre na Internet, escrita amigável e encadeamento fluido dos diferentes e abstratos temas são os pontos fortes. Causa apenas receio a validade das ideias aqui apresentadas visto que o livro possui idade e referenciais bem antigos.

[Roberto Yoed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite calling itself an introduction, Brenner only focuses mostly on the topics he is interested in (drives and superego) while skimming through the oedipal conflicts, dreams and slips.

Charles prose is dull and boring: better read Freud.

[Can Uğurpala · Rating 4 out of 5]

hyb nin lutfedip basmasını beklediğimiz kitap...oldukça toparlayici, Yavuz beyin tukceyi kullanisi da çok iyi

[Pavlina Kireva]

увод в психоанализата

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of psychoanalysis topics and review of Freud, although perhaps a bit biased in assessment.

[Deniz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guzel bir baslangic kitabi. Gayet net ve anlasilir. Orneklerle zenginlestirilmis

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction. Easy to read and clear.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

amei abriu a minha cabeça oca

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry and perhaps a bit dated, but otherwise a fair introduction to old school psychoanalysis. I would recommend starting with Freud himself if you really want to get into psychoanalysis: The Introductory Lectures. Still, you could do a lot worse than this one.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the time I read this in college I already knew most of its contents, but the review was useful as I was preparing to go on to study continental depth psychology in seminary. Brenner is representative of orthodox psychoanalytic theory.

[Valenfore Alestreneon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being educated at a University level in Neuroscience and Psychiatry, I found this read very easy, but also highly informative. The simple, plainly worded style is very underrated in academia and work wonders on students if it were applied.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a bit dry.