Freud and systems theory: an exploratory statement

D.Litt. et Phil.Although Freudian theory traditionally constitutes one of the most important approaches to psychotherapy, it has also generated much criticism from different scientific perspectives. An attempt is made in this study to answer the criticisms of the hermeneuticians and the positivists by using the a systemic approach to indicate a possible solution to methodological and theoretical problems which beset Freudian theory and praxis. The This the research procedure was reported as fully as possible. implies that the therapist's theoretical perspectives, case history of the patient, and the complete transcription qualitatively of the sessions are reported. and quantitatively analysed The results were in an integrated approach. The quantitative analysis was done with the use of a computer program called WORDS, which employs a clustering technique to indicate the development of thematic centroids. The qualitative analysis of the sessions indicates the sequential development of the interaction, and also includes the analysis of the free-associations in each session. The conclusions which are reached in this study are constituted, and reflected in the report of the research process itself. The observations, the thoughts, the processes and the patterns together create the picture which is the conclusion