In therapy, psychoanalysts try to trace unconscious factors that are the source of personal difficulty back to their historical source. Using the knowledge about psychoanalytic theory you’ve gained in previous lessons, which of the following is an example of typical historical source that a psychoanalyst and his or her client might uncover during therapy?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

An oral fixation
An oral fixation

Failure to overcome “trust vs. mistrust”
Failure to overcome “trust vs. mistrust”

A lack of contact comfort in infancy
A lack of contact comfort in infancy

Maternal deprivation

Answer 1

In psychoanalytic therapy, uncovering unconscious factors that contribute to personal difficulties often involves exploring early developmental experiences and relationships, particularly those with caregivers. Among the options provided, all can be considered relevant to psychoanalytic theory, but one stands out as a more typical historical source:

Maternal deprivation

This concept is closely related to the early attachment experiences of a child, particularly in terms of the bond formed with the mother or primary caregiver. It can have significant implications for later emotional and psychological functioning, making it a relevant historical source in psychoanalytic exploration.

The other options, while they can also be related to developmental issues, are often seen as consequences or manifestations of underlying attachment problems rather than primary historical sources themselves.