[Reflections on the relationship between psychoanalysis and cognitive neuroscience].
Soins. Psychiatrie 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.spsy.2026.07.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Cognitive neuroscience Contre-transfert Countertransference Inconscient Neurosciences cognitives Psychanalyse Psychoanalysis Unconscious |
| Key points | Argues that psychoanalysis and cognitive neuroscience converge on the idea that much psychological functioning eludes consciousness, though psychoanalysis conceives the unconscious as dynamic, conflict-ridden, and meaningful while neuroscience views it as non-conscious neural processes. Draws parallels among cognitive psychology, relational neuroscience, and psychoanalysis. |
Abstract
Despite their distinct theoretical and methodological frameworks, the two fields - psychoanalysis and cognitive neuroscience - nevertheless converge on the idea that a large part of psychological functioning eludes consciousness. While psychoanalysis conceives of the unconscious as dynamic, conflict-ridden, and meaningful, neuroscience views it as a set of non-conscious neural processes. Parallels are drawn between cognitive psychology, relational neuroscience, and psychoanalysis.