Cathexis

Cathexis

: "This page describes the general psychological term. For the" "episode of the same name, see Cathexis (Voyager episode)."

In psychodynamics, cathexis is defined as the process of investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea. The Greek term 'cathexis' was chosen by James Strachey to render the German term 'Besetzung' in his translations of Sigmund Freud's complete works. In psychoanalysis, cathexis is the libido's charge of energy. Freud often described the functioning of psychosexual energies in mechanical terms, influenced perhaps by the dominance of the steam engine at the end of the 19th century. In this manner, he also tended to think of the libido as a producer of energies.

Freud often represented frustration in libidinal desires as a blockage of energies that have, or would eventually build up and require release in alternative ways. This release could occur, for example, by way of regression and the "re-cathecting" of former positions, that is, fixation at the oral phase or anal phase and the enjoyment of former sexual objects ["object-cathexes"] , including autoeroticism).

When the ego blocks such efforts to discharge one's cathexis by way of regression, that is, when the ego wishes to repress such desires, Freud uses the term "anti-cathexis" or counter-charge. Like a steam engine, the libido's cathexis then builds up until it finds alternative outlets, which can lead to sublimation or to the formation of sometimes disabling symptoms.


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  • Cathexis — Cath*ex is, n. [Gr. ka qexis, keeping.] 1. (Psychiatry) the process of investing mental, emotional, or libidinal energy or significance in an object, person, or idea. [PJC] 2. (Psychiatry) the emotional or libidinal energy invested in an object,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cathexis — 1922, from Gk. kathexis holding, retention. Used by psychologists to render Freud s libidobesetzung …   Etymology dictionary

  • cathexis — [kə theks′is] n. [ModL < Gr kạthexis, a holding (< katechein, to hold fast < kata , down + echein, to hold > OE sige, victory): transl. of Ger besetzung, as used by Freud] Psychoanalysis concentration of psychic energy on some… …   English World dictionary

  • cathexis — somewhat similar to cow, as in don t have a cathexis. It does have a technical meaning in psychiatry, but we don t care about that. To us, it means to get all wrapped round the axle about something. don t have a cathexis, Mitch. I ll be 18 in a… …   Dictionary of american slang

  • cathexis — somewhat similar to cow, as in don t have a cathexis. It does have a technical meaning in psychiatry, but we don t care about that. To us, it means to get all wrapped round the axle about something. don t have a cathexis, Mitch. I ll be 18 in a… …   Dictionary of american slang

  • cathexis — noun (plural cathexes) Etymology: New Latin (intended as translation of German Besetzung), from Greek kathexis holding, from katechein to hold fast, occupy, from kata + echein to have, hold more at scheme Date: 1922 investment of mental or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cathexis — cathectic /keuh thek tik/, adj. /keuh thek sis/, n., pl. cathexes / thek seez/. Psychoanal. 1. the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea. 2. the charge of psychic energy so invested. [1920 25; < NL < Gk káthexis a… …   Universalium

  • cathexis — noun the concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea …   Wiktionary

  • cathexis — A conscious or unconscious attachment of psychic energy to an idea, object, or person. [G. kathexis, a holding in, retention] * * * ca·thex·is kə thek səs, ka n, pl ca·thex·es …   Medical dictionary

  • cathexis — катексис …   Термины гендерных исследований

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