Amphimixis (psychology)

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In psychoanalytic theory, amphimixis is the merging of pleasure-centres into an amorphous unity. The concept was proposed by Sandor Ferenczi, a student and associate of Sigmund Freud.

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Overview

Sandor Ferenczi introduced the term into psychoanalysis in Thalassa (1924), where he used it to describe the process of merging of the partial drives [1] to create a diffuse state of infant and childhood pleasure. [2] Ferenczi's idea was developed by Helene Deutsch in her description of female sexuality. [3] The concept was criticised by Michael Balint for conflating forepleasure and end pleasure. [4]

Neville Symington extended the concept of amphimixis to include a central pleasure centre in the self, which provided the erotic basis for the self-love (amour propre) of the narcissist. [5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Richard Sterba, The First Dictionary of Psychoanalysis (2013) p. 27
  2. ↑ E. Auchinloss, Psychoanalytic Terms and Concepts (2012) p. 140
  3. ↑ S. Flanders, Reading French Psychoanalysis (2014) p. 570
  4. ↑ Michael Balint, Primary Love and Psychoanalytic Technique (2013)
  5. ↑ N. Symington, Narcissism (1993) p. 55
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