Diana Fox MUS 529

Summer 2013 Prof. Wagner

Psychoanalytical theory. Ive always questioned it because it relied so heavily
on one persons work. This is probably because I am a very fact based person. Show
me charts, surveys, experiments, empirical evidence and let me decide for myself.
The idea behind Freuds work has never sat well with me. The more I read about it
the more I doubt it. I still need some more convincing.
My first problemFreud developed his theories based on his own personal
experiences. How is it possible to come up with solutions and explanations to the
entire human races behavior based on one persons life experiences? I cant help
but wonder why he spent little to no time consulting with other doctors and
scientists. Maybe Freuds mother forgot to butter his toast one morning at breakfast
while eating with his siblings and now he suffers from fear of rejection. What is he
making up for by calling himself an intellectual giant? Does this qualify as one of
his ego defense mechanisms? Is Freud compensating for his inferiorities? If you ask
me, Freud seemed a little too pleased with himself.
Here is what I really reject about the psychoanalytical theory. The idea that it
is used as a benchmark to measure other theories. So you are telling me, that no
matter what type of treatment I seek, in someway I have to be evaluated according
to the intellectual giant? Or, if I choose to seek psychoanalytical treatment I have
to make a long-term commitment? Take off of work? Pay out of pocket to lie on a
couch to freely associate my thoughts and feelings to a therapist and assess their
facial reactions to my innermost thoughts and feelings? No thanks. This theory just
has too many rules for my taste.
Diana Fox MUS 529
Summer 2013 Prof. Wagner
Now, I am not throwing the man completely under the bus here. There are
SOME things that I can embrace about his theory. I appreciate the idea and emphasis
on creating and maintaining positive relationships. As a human race that is what we
need to survive. Another important component is helping clients gain control over
their impulses and anxieties. As a member of society it is our responsibility to
regulate and control what we do and how we react to our environment. Scientific
exploration of Freuds structure of personality has made me more accepting of his
idea of the id, ego, and superego as well. I also value his theory of overall
emphasis on building positive experiences and attitudes towards freedom, love,
work, and play. And, even though I poked fun of him at the beginning of my
reflection, I do think that there is truth to his defense mechanisms. I feel like I can
identify many of those traits in people.
Music therapists can utilize aspects of this theory to be aware of their own
needs. Furthermore, the psychoanalytic theory can be useful to both patients and
therapists to help clarify and accept emotions and feelings. It can also provide
insight into the clients own environment. By promoting awareness of ones
problems the analytic theory can facilitate resolution certain symptoms and core
conflicts. Aspects of this theory can also be used to getting to the root of ones
difficulties.
Perhaps I will not always reject a majority of this theory. However, I am still
not convinced that this is not the one and only way to explaining human emotion
and behavior. I believe that there is so much that we can learn from one another. I
hope that research continues to explore his ideas and concepts. And as much as I
Diana Fox MUS 529
Summer 2013 Prof. Wagner
disagree with a lot of what he said, I give Freud a lot of credit because it is not easy
to radically change history!