The social activity of a person is the body's reaction primarily to internal impulses and desires. These mechanisms arise and develop under the influence of a combination of individual attitudes and processes occurring in the social environment. Due to some discrepancies between the internal expectations of a person and external conditions, conflicts may arise within the personality. The defense mechanisms of the individual help to accept and adapt to such mismatches.
What is sublimation
In psychology, this concept appeared in the theory of Sigmund Freud. The term itself comes from the Latin language and means "to inspire" and "uplift".
At first, the concept had a slightly different meaning than today. The word denoted ex altation in a moral, spiritual sense. The modern explanation of what sublimation is in psychology means, rather, a noble process during which a person's energy is redirected to solve important problems. During an action, a person morallyrises above his base inner needs and instincts.
Thus, sublimation is called a protective mechanism of the human psyche, due to which internal stress is relieved by redirecting energy to perform socially significant tasks (achievements in sports, art, science).
Defense mechanisms of the human psyche
Man by nature is a vulnerable creature. Animals in the event of a threat can protect themselves thanks to their innate instincts. For people, the psyche is such a shield.
In psychology, there is a concept of defense mechanisms - methods of adapting a person to the world around him. The behavior of the individual in the event of a threat from the outside world produces unconscious actions that perform a defensive function. The Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud believed that it was the defense mechanisms that keep the personality in harmony and integrity.
There are the following defense mechanisms that our psyche produces:
Denial - a person does not believe in scary, traumatic situations
- Rejection - traumatic events are forgotten.
- Projection - a person notices in others what is inherent in himself. As a rule, the characteristics seen are impartial.
- Introjection is the assimilation of norms by a child without criticism from parents who dictate the rules of proper behavior.
- Isolation - a person separates unpleasant events from the feelings that accompany them. What is happening, as it were, is observed from the outside and practically withoutemotional reactions.
- Regression - turning into a child in case of danger, seeking protection from others and unwillingness to make decisions on their own.
- Displacement - the transfer of negative emotions and feelings to another, non-traumatic object. An example of bias would be a domestic scandal due to remarks from superiors at work.
- Rationalization - a person logically explains his actions and motives, but at the same time hides the true motives of his behavior. Thus, he not only deceives others, but also engages in self-deception.
- Another defense mechanism in psychology is sublimation. She was mentioned above.
Sigmund Freud's sublimation theory
The authorship of the first idea about the defense mechanism belongs to the famous Austrian psychologist and psychoanalyst. Sublimation Freud assigned the most important place in human life. He believed that thanks to this mechanism, civilization and progress arose. Many works of art were born as a result of the transfer of libido energy from frustration to a more beneficial sphere. As a striking example of the operation of the concept of sublimation in psychology, one can put forward the works of Leonardo da Vinci. Due to the lack of interest in his own personal life, the scientist, artist and engineer managed to create a huge number of his masterpieces. He did all his work perfectly and perfectly. Sex and similar relationships between people, Leonardo considered something base and ugly. According to the architect, there are things more important than earthly love - art, science, architecture.
Freud himself explained his unique capacity for work by the conscious sublimation of sexual energy into a scientific direction. According to the scientist, sex is necessary only for childbearing. True pleasure can only bring the results of their own work. After analyzing the life path of many outstanding artists, writers and poets, Freud came to the conclusion that they created their most striking works during the absence of love relationships. Sublimation not only transfers energy into physical labor. It gives you the opportunity to realize all your unrealizable dreams and fantasies in your works.
Types of sublimation
Psychology distinguishes several types of this phenomenon. Freud singled out the following types of defense mechanism:
- Sublimation devoid of hedonistic character. Such a mechanism is associated with routine work, prohibitions, discipline and other restrictions on individual freedom.
- The so-called hedonistic sublimation. In this case, the energy is transformed into creative and religious masterpieces.
These two species are different from each other, but they are also capable of interconnection.
There are also types of simple sublimation in psychology. These, in particular, may be the following examples:
- The propensity for aggression and sexual cruelty can be realized in sports, in particular wrestling, martial arts, boxing.
- Hidden sadistic tendencies can be compensated by the profession of a surgeon.
- Excessive interest in sex can besublimate into creativity, inventing jokes, anecdotes, funny stories.
- It is possible to relieve sexual tension by also engaging in physical labor (for example, chopping firewood, general cleaning, cooking, or just walking).
Transfer mechanism
What is sublimation in psychology and how does it work? In fact, it transforms unpleasant and unwanted experiences into a variety of constructive activities. Sublimation differs from other protective mechanisms in the presence of sexual energy. Under the influence of the release of the power of libido, the most striking works of art are created, phenomenal scientific ideas arise, and intellectual insights occur.
During sublimation, the internal stress of the individual is removed and energy is redirected to socially useful activities.
The essence of the method
So, what does the sublimation method mean? In psychology, in simple terms, this action can be explained as follows. Psychoanalysis interprets the method as the transformation of human drives. Today, this interpretation has expanded somewhat.
The explanation of the method depends on the situation. But at the same time, definition means redirecting impulses that are unacceptable in society into socially useful work. Analyzing works of art, studying the leading activity of a person, one can often discern the hidden erotic motives of the work, which are carefully hidden by the personality.
How energy transformation works
In psychology, thisprocess is ambiguous. It does not lead to denial or ignorance by a person of his internal conflicts. The purpose of sublimation is to redirect, transform internal energy in order to find ways to resolve these strife. As a result, the function of the process lies in the subconscious search for the kind of occupation that can relieve the internal tension from the active impulses of the libido. Such an occupation, in particular, often becomes creativity.
What is desublimation
What is sublimation in psychology was discussed above. But there is such a thing as desublimation. This concept was introduced into science by Herbert Marcuse. Unlike sublimation in psychology, this definition means the direct realization of one's sexual energy into sexual action.
Desublimation in all its manifestations acts in a negative way. A realized sexual life makes a person passive in all other activities. It makes no sense for him to struggle with internal tension and resist the norms of the social environment. Further development of the personality is not included in the plans of the individual, since he received everything he wanted. Naturally released libido energy needs no redirection.
Ways to effectively use sublimation
There is a clear algorithm for transforming energy into social action:
- Receiving new information and getting to know new people as an experience will help get rid of internal clamps.
- For a successful sublimation process, it is importantdevelop your imagination. Creativity is impossible without a creative perception of the world.
- In dealing with important issues, it is important to trust your intuition. Together with imagination, it can produce creative genius.
- The effect of the "black hole" will increase the impact of sublimation on creative activity. Sometimes it is important to abstract from the outside world by closing in a dark room for several hours, and immerse yourself in your inner world, contemplating it as if from the outside. It is at such moments that enlightenment can come, and brilliant ideas will appear.
- The concept in the psychology of sublimation implies complete acceptance of oneself, with all its virtues, and most importantly, with its shortcomings. This means not only being proud of your achievements, but also treating your mistakes as an experience.
- In the event of an emotional rise in a state of love, it is important to remember this moment. In the future, try to redirect these emotions to the area where you need to succeed.
Following this order of actions, one can achieve the harmonious development of personality.
