Human activity is the body's response to internal urges and desires, which, in turn, are formed as a result of a combination of the individual's own considerations and sociocultural processes that influence individual needs and desires.
The activity is carried out under the influence of the energy available to the individual, which can be directed to achieve certain goals. Energy can be spent on a variety of individual needs of the body, but it can also be used to carry out more important tasks. True, in this case, it will be necessary "transform" energy to redirect it from ordinary physiological needs to tasks that are more important in socio-cultural terms.
Such a "transformation" is denoted by a certain term - "sublimation". Problems in this area have long attracted attention, which indicates the importance of this phenomenon in psychology. About what sublimation is, what the term itself means, who and when first introduced this concept, as well as what place sublimation occupies in psychology, as well as in philosophy, will be described in this article.
Of course, to begin with, a definition of this term should be given. This will allow a better understanding of the problems of this concept, its essence and orientation in psychology. Further it will be said about when and by whom it was first used.
Sublimation is called defense mechanism psyche, which is responsible for relieving internal stress, while using the redirection of internal energy to achieve results when performing socially acceptable tasks. This refers to tasks related to sports, creativity or art.
The term itself comes from the Latin word "sublimare", which means "to inspire" or "uplift". The original meaning of the term was slightly different from what is now known to everyone. Then this word meant moral exaltation. However, in fact, this designation is correct, since by redirecting his energy to more important tasks, a person morally rises above his inner needs.
For the first time, the well-known psychologist Sigmund Freud expressed his judgment about the sublimative idea. He used this term as early as 1900. If we consider the provisions and ideas social psychology, then it is necessary to clarify the fact that sublimation, as a protective mechanism of the human psyche, is associated with the processes of socialization. Mention should be made of the fact that the problems of sublimation are of rather great importance in matters relating to child psychology, the psychology of sports, and also in the psychology of creativity.
According to Freud's psychological concepts, the defense mechanism of the psyche, called sublimation, means a deviation from biological energy. We are talking about the rejection of wasting energy on sexual desire and its subsequent redirection to socially acceptable tasks.
Freud viewed the sublimative idea as positive "protection", arguing that the individual, adhering to such a protective mechanism of the psyche, pays more attention to constructive activities. Freud also noted the positive effect of sublimation on the removal of the internal tension of the individual.
However, such a positive assessment of this defense mechanism is present in any therapy that is aimed at finding a socially adaptive solution, and not at ridding the individual of his internal conflicts.
sublimation method
This method has been widespread use in psychoanalysis. If we consider the concept of psychoanalysis, which was developed by Freud, then according to its provisions, sublimation means the transformation of drives. At the present stage, this term has quite a lot of very different definitions due to the different nature of the origin and use of the term, but at the same time it implies only one specific designation: the redirection of unacceptable impulses. Sublimation can take many different forms.
For a better understanding of the sublimative process and its influence on the personal goals of the individual, one should cite pretty couple simple examples , which will allow you to better understand the principle of the impact of the sublimative on changing the priorities of the individual:
Every day, the individual is faced with situations of various kinds, which bring various surprises, subsequently requiring stress relief.
sublimation process
This process does not encourage the individual to ignore internal conflicts. The purpose of the sublimative defense mechanism is to redirect the internal energy of a person to find ways to resolve these conflicts. This is the main function of the process of sublimation in psychology.
- Aggressiveness and its energy can be reflected in sports. An individual can sublimate internal energy by doing, for example, karate. Also, internal aggression can be sublimated in the implementation of strict parenting.
- In turn, eroticism can be sublimated into friendship.
When an individual does not have the opportunity to realize his instincts, which are at the level of instinct, he subconsciously tries to find the kind of occupation and the type of activity that will allow him relieve inner tension because of the active impulses he has that require implementation. Sigmund Freud argued that the intention of each individual to engage in creativity can be explained precisely due to the presence of such a protective mechanism of the psyche.
Sublimation implies a certain mechanism of its action. We are talking about the fact that sublimation involves the transformation of unwanted, traumatic and negative experiences into different types constructive and demanded activity. During his work, Sigmund Freud referred to this protective mechanism of the psyche certain types of activities, which are motivated by the presence of internal division, but which have no direction to satisfy their sexual needs. These activities include: artistic creation, intellectual research, valuable species activities from a public point of view.
So, the sublimation mechanism is as follows: the protective mechanism of the psyche performs the function of relieving the individual's internal stress, and also affects the subsequent redirection of internal energy and internal stress to objects that are considered socially significant.
The concept is used by both psychologists and physicists, but its essence is different. Physicists use it to call the process of converting a substance from solid to gaseous with the release of a large amount. Sublimation in psychology is a process influential on the development of economic and creative activity of man. Both concepts are similar, only in the first case, the object of scientific research is a substance, and in the second, a person and his sexuality.
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Description
In a broad sense, sublimation is in psychology a protective mechanism of the human psyche that removes growing tension inside and allowing you to throw out its excess to achieve some positive goal. In this way, unacceptable personal impulses can be switched to something more attractive, which will be accepted.
You can see how the energy of sublimation is redirected using the following examples:
- people prone to violence satisfy their needs through police work;
- for those who have an unhealthy interest in corpses, the energy of sublimation is transferred to work as a pathologist;
- when giving up an active sex life, it helps to spend energy on creative development or scientific research.
The simplest form of expression - dreams, bright and lively, which are remembered for a long period of time. The higher form is drawing, music, design and more.
The concept of human energy transformation was first discovered by the famous psychiatrist Sigmund Freud at the end of the 19th century. He considered the concept exclusively from the positive side, and justified it by the fact that in this way a person unconsciously seeks relieve inner discomfort.
The scientist argued that sublimation means the transfer of the main source of sexual energy to the creative process, spiritual development, and the creation of works of art.
In his opinion, the meaning of sublimation is that the usual attraction to the opposite sex can be switch to something else far from sexual satisfaction.
The activity of natural instincts can be transformed into one that could correspond to the cultural and aesthetic norms of society. Basically, such sublimation energy is a powerful engine of any kind of activity, often turning into creativity.
Desublimation according to Freud is called reverse flow transfer sublimated instinctive energy to the original sexual object or the transition to behavior that others consider uncivilized. How repressive desublimation manifests itself in today's youth. They throw wild parties, but at other times the energy of sublimation helps them learn and master well.
Kinds
In Freud's psychoanalysis, the following types of sublimation are distinguished:
- devoid of a hedonistic character and associated with routine work, discipline, prohibitions, and so on;
- with hedonistic aspects, which is reflected in art, religion and other creative, spiritual areas.
The two species are distinct but often in between. relationship is formed. But both options can be interpreted as a protective mechanism of consciousness.
The essence of the method
The method of sublimation according to Freud helps a person to resolve internal conflicts, and not to suppress them within himself. To search for solutions to problems, consciousness redirects the flow of human energy in a different direction. The whole process is its main function. There are quite a few examples of how sublimation energy is applied in everyday life.
Cultural taboos within society do not allow a person to express their aggressive or sexual attraction in the form in which they would like. Therefore, the energy of sublimation is directed to other areas of activity, and its unrealized balance is transformed into dreams.
The German philosopher Theodor Adorno argued that the mechanism of sublimation could lead to manipulation of people's minds.
The duality of consciousness can be clearly seen when choosing various TV shows to watch. People are more likely to be guided by psychological predilections, rather than using analytical abilities.
For example, let's take a situation when a person chooses to watch crime-themed serials and films, although he himself is absolutely does not accept violence. So he frees himself from everyday worries about this, because he finds such films very interesting for himself.
Important! Psychologists say that watching such criminal chronicles suppresses the bad negative inclinations of a person. This sublimation of energy significantly reduces the level of crime.
The monotony of life and routine drive people into depression, which begins to be useless and disappointed in themselves. This is compensated by watching various TV shows, computer games or internet surfing. This is how the sublimation of energy works.
The nature of the process
Freud also referred to sublimation those activities to which a person is stimulated by sexual attraction, but their orientation is different, they pursue a different goal. Examples of these types:
- Scientific research;
- creation of works of art;
- social activities.
Sublimation according to Freud is the redirection of negative energy to work or to the creation of socially important objects. The psychologist was sure that "civilization" is created in conditions where the energy of sublimation transformed into something useful to society.
Many psychotherapists adhere to the theory that all great works of art were created in the process of sublimation associated with mental anguish, unrequited love, dissatisfaction.
The concept also implies the transition of one state of mind to another: melancholy is replaced by happiness, sadness is replaced by pleasure.
Is it possible to learn to redirect energy
What is sublimation in psychology, we have already found out. Usually the process occurs unconsciously, but sometimes it can be carried out purposefully. This does not require a titanic effort, but only learn to hear and understand yourself
- Allow yourself to dream, develop your imagination. Let your dreams be the wildest, this is the secret. Great discoveries happen when a person gives free rein to his imagination.
- Learn to listen to your intuition. Indeed, it is largely thanks to her that people do what is difficult to decide on, and as a result they win.
- Learn to let new people into your life and take each new day as a gift, and not as something for granted. It will bring you a feeling of lightness and gratitude.
One can trace how the sublimation of energy manifests itself in different stages of human life. AT early age sublimation of energy through artistic creativity can become fixed as a favorite activity, and a person can use the method throughout his life. Attraction is encrypted in symbols and the brightness of the colors used.
Teenagers will need additional forms to transform the "breakthrough". Children 11-15 years old begin to actively train, play sports, their energy of sublimation consumed by movement. Sometimes they change the section if they do not find the right expression of energy with the help of the chosen sport. At the same time they are engaged in intellectual, cognitive activity.
In young people, the energy of sublimation is spent on labor activity. Favorite work and reward bring pleasure to the body and mind.
Adults teach the opportunity to realize their fantasies together with your loved one. Elderly people are engaged in the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, landscaping near the house.
Interestingly, this process is different for men and women. Women mainly transform love by transferring their activity to such areas as raising children, caring for the house, doing fitness, needlework or painting.
In men, the energy of sublimation is directed to the area of sexual activity, although they can sometimes transform it into something beautiful. Representatives of the stronger sex often dive into work, as if into a pool with their heads, build a career, devote themselves entirely to their favorite business: hunting, fishing, sports, music. The main thing is that they approach this with a soul.
but on the other hand
No matter what anyone says, not everyone succeeds in sublimating. A person whose sexual energy is overflowing may not be engaged in creative activity, not devote himself to work. On the contrary, when suppressing their desires, such people become aggressive and even reach assault and violence. meet your needs in a positive way. Now you will understand how important it is to learn how to manage your energy.
Sublimation is a protective mechanism that the human psyche builds to relieve internal tension, to redirect energy in a different direction, sports, creativity, religion, work are used. Translated from Latin the word means "to lift up" or "to spiritualize." Initially, this term denoted moral exaltation. The first to use this concept was Z. Freud in 1900. Considerable attention is paid to the problems and study of the process of sublimation in the psychology of sports and creativity, as well as in child and adolescent psychology.
Sigmund Freud's theory of sublimation argues that this process is the transformation of attraction into the achievement of heights in art, sports and socially significant activities. According to Freud, sublimation is precisely the redirection of sexual energy. He was of the opinion that any creative achievement is the result of the redirection of internal energy from erotic fantasies and goals to his immediate labor activity. Under the definition of work, Freud understood not only scientific and physical activity, but also activity in the field of art (music, painting).
Freud's psychoanalytic theory was based on the notion that a person's sexual energy does not find a full outlet due to the various limitations of society and civilization. Therefore, this unspent energy must necessarily be embodied in other activities, especially if a person must remain psychologically balanced and calm all the time. Freud believed that sublimation is a safer and more useful process than similar concepts:
- negation;
- projection;
- repression;
- substitution;
- jet formation;
- intellectualization.
The scientist made such conclusions, noticing the constructive release of tension in the emotional sphere in his patients. The process of sublimation is able not to suppress internal conflicts in the human subconscious, but to give them a way out by redirecting energy in a different direction, to resolve these conflicts.
In his philosophical writings, Z. Freud argued that all the benefits of civilization that society has achieved are built precisely on the process of sublimation. To explain what sublimation is, he cited the example of Leonardo da Vinci, who rose incredibly high in his creative endeavors and brilliantly performed all kinds of work. At the same time, Leonardo did not show any craving for intimate manifestations and interest in sex. Freud argued that it was the complete sublimation of sexual desire that helped Leonardo become a great artist.
In modern psychology, Freud's theory is partly supported and the sublimation of sexual energy is defined as transmutation, the transfer of libido into physical activity in order to eliminate confrontation with the urge to throw out sexual energy (after all, in many cases these urges contradict the religious beliefs of a person).
Psychological definition
In modern psychology, the concept is perceived much broader - as the transformation of unacceptable impulses into any other constructive and demanded activity, regardless of the nature of their occurrence, it will not necessarily be sexual attraction.
Examples from real life can be given:
- work in the police compensates for the propensity of the individual to violence;
- unhealthy interest in the dead human body is satisfied in the work of the pathologist;
- in surgery, sadistic tendencies can be splashed out;
- successful creative and scientific activity is ensured by the complete rejection of an active sexual life.
Sublimation in psychology is in simple terms replacement of a desired but forbidden action with another, permitted and socially significant action that brings success and satisfaction.
For example, the accumulated aggression can be transformed in active sports - wrestling, boxing, in people who do not go in for sports, the manifestation of sublimation is an overly strict upbringing of children. Eroticism can be sublimated in friendship, and sexual fantasies in creativity. And yet, the greatest importance in adolescent psychology is given to the sublimation of sexual energy.
Despite the fame of Freud's theory, he was never able to clearly explain how sexual desire is transformed into active creative activity. But the fact that every person has been involved in the process of sublimation at least once is not in dispute.
Surely, everyone noticed that during the period of falling in love, you want to actively do something, express yourself in work or creativity. Often it is people in a state of love who make major discoveries in science, create masterpieces of art. When the heart is overflowing with the feeling of falling in love, a person still involuntarily sublimates sexual energy, which cannot be satisfied or is simply not in demand.
The simplest confirmations of this theory are colorful and vivid dreams that are remembered for a long time. This phenomenon is the simplest form of sublimation. Writing poetry and music, painting walls with colorful graffiti, participating in performances and productions, and developing interior design are considered a higher form. In general, in psychology, each type of activity can be considered as one or another kind of sublimation process.
Sublimation in everyday life
According to the theory of T. Adorno, who established a clear connection between love and hatred for television heroes, sublimation can lead to manipulation of human consciousness. The secret of the duality of people's consciousness lies in the choice of watching TV programs depending on their psychological inclinations, and not in the development of analytical abilities or creative undertakings.
If a person rejects violence in life, then while watching series and films about criminals, he finds it attractive and frees himself from daily worries and tensions.
Monotony and everyday life lead to the fact that a person feels disappointed in himself, his unfulfilled hopes and aspirations are forced into the unconscious, and long hours spent watching TV or at a computer, on the Internet often become psychological compensation.
As psychologists assure, while watching programs about crime, the bad inclinations of a person are subject to sublimation, and the number of real crimes decreases.
back side
In addition to the positive effect of sublimation, there is also a negative side of it. A person obsessed with the outburst of sexual energy is not interested in creative and labor achievements, and his social needs come to naught. If such people begin to suppress sexual desire, instead of a positive process of sublimation, they can compensate for it with aggression, and sometimes even murder.
Sufficiently striking examples of the negative process of sublimation can be called serial killers who committed terrible crimes on sexual grounds, in a perverted form. With the help of psychoanalysis, scientists almost always found the cause deviant behavior maniacs and murderers in psychological trauma received in childhood. And here the problem is not that they could not sublimate their sexual energy, but that there was no development of social opportunities to meet needs in a different form.
As you can see, psychological energy can be sublimated in different ways. Compensation for one's own dissatisfaction in one area leads to successful development in another, developing civilization and the world. Modern man must be able to manage themselves, for harmonious self-development and building a healthy society.
Each of us has heard the word "sublimation". Many, in order to seem highly educated and well-read, use it in their speech completely inappropriately, not understanding the meaning of this word. It's no secret that the founder of this concept was Z. Freud, who applied it in his concept of art. You can learn the meaning of sublimation from the philosophical dictionary, encyclopedia of psychology and medicine. Let's figure out what this term means in simple words.
What is sublimation?
Sublimation (from the Latin "sublimo" - spiritualize, lift up)- the ability of the human psyche to attract and use an internal protective mechanism associated with the removal of emerging biological stress, accumulated unspent energy through its transformation, transformation into a creative, active, creative, positive, socially acceptable activity.
When they say that a person sublimates his energy, this means that he switches from physical and biological needs to the achievement of socially significant and cultural goals. The concept of sublimation includes the following components:
- redirection of energy from the desire to achieve low goals to achieve high goals approved by society (from sexual needs, instinctive human desires to creativity, spirituality);
- emotional restructuring of a person;
- psychological liberation, liberation from biological instincts;
- transformation of the accumulated energy into a type of human activity acceptable by society.
Freud's psychoanalytic theory
At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century - the greatest Austrian psychologist and psychoanalyst - used in his teaching the concept of sublimation as the primary source, the root cause underlying all cultural and artistic creations and works. In his opinion, the meaning of transformation lies in the fact that the physiological needs of a person, which are innate, primary (natural sexual desire) are transferred to other goals not related to sexual satisfaction. A person switches to other types of activity that are morally positive, corresponding to moral norms and principles, and gets the same pleasure, only the products of creativity are the fruits of the redirection of energy. Freud considered sublimation as an exceptionally good defense that promotes constructive human behavior, demanded activities and the search for a socially adaptive resolution of internal contradictions and conflicts. Today, this concept has become much broader - in addition to primary needs, the redirection of energy has spread to any unacceptable impulses, unwanted, traumatic and negative experiences that do not depend on their natural origin.
Example: the tendency to sadism is transformed into socially useful surgical activity, sexual lust into occupations fine arts, a tendency to aggression - in combat sports, a tendency to violence - in professional activities in law enforcement agencies, an unhealthy interest in death - in work as pathologists in morgues, voyeurism - in stripper activities, pyromania - in work in circuses and organizations involved in the creation festive fireworks, etc. Z. Freud applied the main provisions of this theory in his psychoanalytic practice.
Sublimation Jung
Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, a follower of Freud, criticized the Freudian theory of sublimation. He believed that sublimation has an esoteric origin and attributed it to mystical phenomena. Jung gave this term an absolutely opposite meaning, pointing out the impossibility of a scientifically sound proof of Freud's concept. Jung did not deny the sexual background in any kind of social activity, but believed that a person transforms the energy accumulated from sexual dissatisfaction not intentionally and forcibly, but unconsciously, and this requires alchemical transformations - fire and Primal Matter.
The concept of libido is associated with the sublimation of sexual energy. This is a sexual instinct, sexual attraction, which has a psychological origin. This energy is the most powerful and available. When it is realized, a person's well-being improves, the world around him is filled with bright colors, creativity increases, and human relationships improve. When sexual energy is transformed into creativity, then a person says that he had a muse that inspired him - this is the object that helped transform an unsatisfied libido. In history, one can find many examples of some geniuses who deliberately refused to satisfy natural human needs for great accomplishments in creativity (paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Ivan Kramskoy). But psychotherapists do not approve of such behavior from the point of view of physical and mental health.
Demonstration of the famous example sexual sublimation is the Italian comedy directed by Franco Castellano and Giuseppe Moccia "The Taming of the Shrew", where main character, played by Adriano Celentano, a staunch misogynist, accustomed to rough farm work, chopping wood, releasing his irrepressible sexual energy. For him, sexual sublimation is hard physical labor.
Modern interpretation
The modern point of view regarding the interpretation of the concept of "sublimation" is that sublimation means redirecting any secret aspirations and internal impulses disapproved of by society to such forms of behavior that can be controlled and positively evaluated by society. At the heart of secret aspirations and desires lies the libido of man.
When a person is seized by a tender feeling, when he is attracted to another person, some talent very often wakes up in him: in writing poetry, depicting paintings or creating musical works. Statistics show that all creative masterpieces were created at the moment when their creators were covered by a wave of love.
- It is necessary to get rid of internal tightness, to be liberated;
- You need to work on your own creativity, develop your imagination, direct all your efforts towards discovering your inner potential;
- Concentration on the unconscious, getting rid of complexes, everything that prevents secret desires from manifesting;
- Treat yourself with the utmost respect and love, believe in your own strengths and tune in to achieve unprecedented heights;
- Remember, absorb this feeling of emotional uplift, that enthusiasm that covers you at the mere thought of the object of your desire, trust your intuition.
What is it in terms of science?
Modern science interprets the concept of sublimation much more complicated and deeper than just finding its connection with human sexual desires. FROM scientific point vision, it is a protective mechanism of the human psyche. Sublimation allows you to release human energy through sports, science, creativity, religion. The brilliant director Alfred Hitchcock said that his only weapon to overcome his own fears was the creation of cinematic creations. Energy can be invested in anything - even in washing dishes, the main thing is that this activity brings moral satisfaction. The term "sublimation", in addition to psychology, psychoanalysis and philosophy, is also used in other sciences and areas of human knowledge:
- Chemistry (the transition of a solid to a gaseous state without having been in a liquid state);
- Food industry (extraction of ice from frozen products);
- Printing (moving a picture from one surface to another).
Important! Man is a mystery to himself. Despite all attempts to know himself, he never managed to do it.
Sublimation is an assistant in the process of releasing the creative forces dormant in a person and directing them into a creative channel. But it must be used with a certain degree of caution, without abandoning its natural purpose.
