Can Clinical Psychoanalysis Be Scientific?

Cecilio Paniagua, M.D.Authors Info & Affiliations

Publication: American Journal of Psychotherapy

Volume 41, Number 1

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1987.41.1.104

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Abstract

Criticism of psychoanalysis as a scientific discipline has increased recently. Even though psychoanalytic theory deserves ample criticism by the scientific community for its ambiguous definitions, deficient construct validity and precarious operationalization of its procedures, as long as there are clinical observables susceptible of recording, psychoanalysis remains in the realm of science.

The scientific merit is reviewed of some psychoanalytic concepts such as repression, the unconscious, psychic structures, and intrapsychic conflict. The possibility of objectivity, prediction, and confirmation of hypotheses is discussed.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

American Journal of Psychotherapy

Volume 41 • Number 1 • 1987, pp. 1–167

Pages: 104 - 116

PubMed: 3578601

History

Published in print: 1987, pp. 1–167

Published online: 30 April 2018

Authors

Details

Cecilio Paniagua, M.D.^*

Washington, D.C.

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Notes

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Mailing Address: C. Corazón de María 2, 28002, Madrid, Spain.

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Can Clinical Psychoanalysis Be Scientific?

Abstract

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