Freud Wrote, Instincts And Their Derivatives May Be Arranged As Pairs Of Opposites: Life Versus Death, Construction Versus Destruction, Action Versus Passivity, Dominance Versus Submission, And So Forth. When One Of The Instincts Produces Anxiety By

Mar 12, 2025 by ADMIN 251 views

The Concept of Instinctual Pairs: Understanding the Human Psyche

Sigmund Freud, a renowned Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, once stated that instincts and their derivatives can be categorized as pairs of opposites. These pairs include life versus death, construction versus destruction, action versus passivity, dominance versus submission, and many others. When one of the instincts produces anxiety, it can have a profound impact on an individual's behavior and decision-making processes. In this article, we will delve into the concept of instinctual pairs and explore their significance in understanding the human psyche.

Freud's theory of instinctual pairs suggests that human behavior is driven by a series of opposing forces. These forces are present in every individual and are constantly at play, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The pairs of opposites that Freud identified are:

Life versus Death: This pair represents the fundamental drive for survival and the fear of mortality. When one of these instincts is triggered, it can lead to anxiety and a desire to escape or avoid the situation.
Construction versus Destruction: This pair represents the drive for creativity and self-expression versus the desire for chaos and destruction. When one of these instincts is triggered, it can lead to feelings of anxiety and a need to create order and structure.
Action versus Passivity: This pair represents the drive for action and engagement versus the desire for inaction and avoidance. When one of these instincts is triggered, it can lead to feelings of anxiety and a need to take control of the situation.
Dominance versus Submission: This pair represents the drive for power and control versus the desire for submission and surrender. When one of these instincts is triggered, it can lead to feelings of anxiety and a need to assert dominance or submit to a higher authority.

When one of the instincts in an instinctual pair is triggered, it can produce anxiety. This anxiety can manifest in different ways, depending on the individual and the situation. For example:

Fear of loss: When the instinct for life is triggered, it can produce a fear of loss or mortality. This fear can lead to anxiety and a desire to escape or avoid the situation.
Fear of chaos: When the instinct for construction is triggered, it can produce a fear of chaos or disorder. This fear can lead to anxiety and a need to create order and structure.
Fear of inaction: When the instinct for action is triggered, it can produce a fear of inaction or passivity. This fear can lead to anxiety and a need to take control of the situation.
Fear of submission: When the instinct for dominance is triggered, it can produce a fear of submission or surrender. This fear can lead to anxiety and a need to assert dominance or submit to a higher authority.

The concept of instinctual pairs can have a significant impact on an individual's behavior and decision-making processes. When one of the instincts in an instinctual pair is triggered, it can lead to anxiety and a desire to escape or avoid the situation. This can result in a range of behaviors, including:

Avoidance: When an individual experiences anxiety due to an instinctual pair, they may avoid the situation or activity that triggered the anxiety.
Aggression: When an individual experiences anxiety due to an instinctual pair, they may become aggressive or defensive in an attempt to assert dominance or control.
Submission: When an individual experiences anxiety due to an instinctual pair, they may submit to a higher authority or surrender to the situation.
Compromise: When an individual experiences anxiety due to an instinctual pair, they may seek a compromise or middle ground between the opposing forces.

The concept of instinctual pairs, as proposed by Sigmund Freud, provides a framework for understanding the human psyche and the forces that drive human behavior. When one of the instincts in an instinctual pair is triggered, it can produce anxiety and a desire to escape or avoid the situation. This can result in a range of behaviors, including avoidance, aggression, submission, and compromise. By understanding the concept of instinctual pairs, individuals can gain insight into their own behavior and decision-making processes, and develop strategies for managing anxiety and achieving a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Freud, S. (1920). Beyond the pleasure principle. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 1(2), 131-154.
Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 4(2), 391-401.
Jung, C. G. (1928). The psychological aspects of the mother archetype. In The Collected Works of C. G. Jung (Vol. 9, Part 1, pp. 1-23). Princeton University Press.
Erikson, E. H. (1950). Childhood and society. W.W. Norton & Company.

The Ego and the Id: This article by Sigmund Freud provides a detailed explanation of the concept of the ego and the id, and how they interact with each other.
The Psychological Aspects of the Mother Archetype: This article by Carl Jung provides a detailed explanation of the concept of the mother archetype and its role in human psychology.
Childhood and Society: This book by Erik Erikson provides a comprehensive overview of the stages of human development and the role of social and cultural factors in shaping human behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding Instinctual Pairs

A: Instinctual pairs are a concept developed by Sigmund Freud that suggests human behavior is driven by a series of opposing forces. These forces are present in every individual and are constantly at play, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

A: Some examples of instinctual pairs include:

Life versus Death: This pair represents the fundamental drive for survival and the fear of mortality.
Construction versus Destruction: This pair represents the drive for creativity and self-expression versus the desire for chaos and destruction.
Action versus Passivity: This pair represents the drive for action and engagement versus the desire for inaction and avoidance.
Dominance versus Submission: This pair represents the drive for power and control versus the desire for submission and surrender.

A: When one of the instincts in an instinctual pair is triggered, it can produce anxiety and a desire to escape or avoid the situation. This can result in a range of behaviors, including:

Avoidance: When an individual experiences anxiety due to an instinctual pair, they may avoid the situation or activity that triggered the anxiety.
Aggression: When an individual experiences anxiety due to an instinctual pair, they may become aggressive or defensive in an attempt to assert dominance or control.
Submission: When an individual experiences anxiety due to an instinctual pair, they may submit to a higher authority or surrender to the situation.
Compromise: When an individual experiences anxiety due to an instinctual pair, they may seek a compromise or middle ground between the opposing forces.

A: Managing anxiety caused by instinctual pairs requires a combination of self-awareness, self-regulation, and coping strategies. Some strategies that may be helpful include:

Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, and can reduce anxiety and stress.
Self-regulation: Developing self-regulation skills, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization, can help individuals manage anxiety and regulate their emotions.
Coping strategies: Developing coping strategies, such as problem-solving, seeking social support, and engaging in enjoyable activities, can help individuals manage anxiety and reduce stress.

A: While instinctual pairs are a fundamental aspect of human nature, they can be influenced and modified through experience, learning, and personal growth. For example:

Learning and experience: Through learning and experience, individuals can develop new skills, attitudes, and behaviors that can help them manage anxiety and reduce stress.
Personal growth: Through personal growth and self-awareness, individuals can develop a greater understanding of themselves and their instinctual pairs, and can learn to manage anxiety and reduce stress.

A: Instinctual pairs can have a significant impact on mental health, particularly in individuals who experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. For example:

Anxiety disorders: Instinctual pairs can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.
Depression: Instinctual pairs can contribute to the development of depression, particularly in individuals who experience feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness.
Other mental health conditions: Instinctual pairs can also contribute to the development of other mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders.

A: There are many resources available for learning more about instinctual pairs and their impact on mental health, including:

Books: There are many books available on the topic of instinctual pairs and their impact on mental health, including "The Ego and the Id" by Sigmund Freud and "The Psychological Aspects of the Mother Archetype" by Carl Jung.
Articles: There are many articles available on the topic of instinctual pairs and their impact on mental health, including articles in academic journals and online publications.
Online courses: There are many online courses available on the topic of instinctual pairs and their impact on mental health, including courses on psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
Therapy: Working with a therapist can provide a safe and supportive environment for exploring instinctual pairs and their impact on mental health.