A1 Journal article (refereed)
Homeostasis and self-regulation (2024)

von Weissenberg, J. (2024). Homeostasis and self-regulation. Scandinavian Psychoanalytic Review, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/01062301.2024.2380823

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: von Weissenberg, Joachim

Journal or series: Scandinavian Psychoanalytic Review

ISSN: 0106-2301

eISSN: 1600-0803

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 06/08/2024

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: Denmark

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01062301.2024.2380823

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96745

Abstract

Homeostasis, a self-regulating process that aims for stability, is presented to be the most fundamental regulatory principle of the psyche. Stability, or avoiding the extremes, is crucial for survival. The mind operates on different layers of homeostasis. Freud’s three phylogenetic layers and regulating principles, namely nirvana, constancy, and psychic structure, are reviewed here. The self-image and its identity of perception form the core of the structure. In a clinical context, a cure that deviates too much from the self-image is perceived as threatening stability. The therapeutic relationship is an ideal setting for fostering the ego’s mentalization capacity and the development of psychic structure. This paper demonstrates how mentalization and autonomous self-regulation challenge pathologic homeostatic regulation through clinical examples. The defensive resistance to cure, with its intriguing deep unconscious phylogenetic roots in homeostatic regulation, underscores the practical implications of these theoretical viewpoints in a clinical setting.

Keywords: psyche; homeostasis; self-regulation (psychology); theory of mind; self image; psychoanalysis; psychoanalytic theories

Free keywords: homeostasis; self-regulation; mentalization; self-image; structure formation

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1