The adaptive unconscious in psychoanalysis

Abstract

This paper aims to emphasize the fundamental role of unconscious processes in our adaptation. We will point out how we are able to unconsciously perform higher mental functions such as setting goals and planning how to pursue them, dealing with complex data, and making choices and judgments. In the first part of this paper, we will describe the main features of conscious and unconscious processes as pointed out by recent empirical research studies, and we will see how safety is essential in pursuing our fundamental goals, and how unconscious mental processes are strongly oriented towards preserving our safety and pursuing these goals. Finally, we will discuss control-mastery theory (CMT), an integrative, relational, cognitive-dynamic theory of mental functioning, psychopathology, and psychotherapy processes developed by Joseph Weiss and empirically validated by Weiss, Harold Sampson, and the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group over the last 50 years. This conceptualizes unconscious processes starting from this “higher unconscious mental functioning” paradigm and, in accordance with research data, stresses that our main goal is to adapt to reality and pursue adaptive developmental goals while preserving our safety. Three clinical vignettes will help show how the concepts proposed by CMT have important implications for therapeutic process.

Key words:

• adaptive unconscious
• control-mastery theory
• plan
• test

Notes

1 Others called it “cognitive unconscious” or “emotional unconscious” (e.g., Kihlstrom 1987, 1999). In agreement with Wilson (2002), we believe that is not useful to separate cognitive and emotional aspects, and have decided to adopt the term “adaptive unconscious” to stress its evolutionary-based adaptive function.

2 The reception of CMT in contemporary psychanalysis has not been wide. After the endorsement that it received from Morris Eagle in 1984, Migone and Liotti (1998) tried to integrate cognitive-evolutionary psychology; Bowlby’s attachment theory; multimotivational models such the one proposed by Lichtenberg, Lachmann, and Fosshage (2010); and the model proposed by Liotti himself (Liotti, Fassone, Monticelli, 2017) within the CMT framework. However, there are many points of contact between CMT and various psychoanalytic relational theories (for a review, see Silberschatz, 2005, pp. 224-230): a basically relational orientation in human psyche; the abandonment of the hypothesis of a death instinct and the central role given to real experiences in psychic development and change; and the centrality of constructs such as beliefs, schemas, and self-other representations in normal and pathological psychic functioning. Moreover, in line with contemporary infant researchers (see, for example, Stern, 1985), CMT stresses how children, far from being narcissistic and incapable of differentiating the self from the mother and of being interested in external reality, are intrinsically interested in developing and testing hypotheses about how the world works from the beginning.

3 Beatrice’s therapist was J.L.

4 Francine was in therapy with F.G.

5 Valentina was in therapy with F.G.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessica Leonardi

Jessica Leonardi, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and PhD student at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, and a member of the Control Mastery Theory Italian Group (CMT-IG) and the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group (SFPRG). Her main research interests are linked to psychoanalysis, control-mastery theory and their application in clinical work.

Francesco Gazzillo

Francesco Gazzillo, PhD, psychotherapist, is associate professor of dynamic psychology at the Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, “Sapienza” University of Rome. He is member of the International Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR) and the 29th and 39th Divisions of the American Psychological Association. He is also member of the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group (SFPRG) and founder and president of the Control Mastery Theory Italian Group (CMT-IG). He is the author of several scientific papers published in national and international journals and author of the following books: Fidarsi dei pazienti. Introduzione alla Control Mastery Theory (Trusting patients. Introduction to control mastery theory; 2016); Sua maestà Masud Khan (His Majesty Masud Khan; 2008); I sabotatori interni (The internal saboteurs; 2012); Sigmund Freud. La costruzione di un sapere (Sigmund Freud. The construction of a knowledge, with Francesca Ortu; 2013); La personalità e i suoi disturbi (Personality and its disorders, with Vittorio Lingiardi; 2009). Together with Nino Dazzi and Vittorio Lingiardi, he edited the volume La diagnosi in psicologia clinica (The diagnosis in clinical psychology; 2009) and was section editor of the 2nd edition of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual.

Nino Dazzi

Nino Dazzi, PhD, is professor emeritus of dynamic psychology at Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy, past-president of the Italy Area Group of the International Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR), and previously dean of the Faculty of Psychology at Sapienza, University of Rome and Sapienza’s University pro-rector. He is member of honor of the Italian Association of Psychology (AIP), a member of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy (IARPP), and has also been Italian ambassador of the European Science Foundation. He written several scientific national and international papers and volumes, including Psicologia Dinamica (Dynamic psychology, with Alessandra De Coro; 2001); La ricerca in psicoterapia (Research in psychotherapy, edited with Vittorio Lingiardi and Antonello Colli; 2006), and La diagnosi in psicologia clinica (The diagnosis in clinical psychology, with Vittorio Lingiardi and Francesco Gazzilo; 2009).