Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
Although Freudian theory traditionally constitutes one of the
most important approaches to psychotherapy, it has also
generated much criticism from different scientific
perspectives. An attempt is made in this study to answer the
criticisms of the hermeneuticians and the positivists by
using
the
a systemic approach to indicate a possible solution to
methodological and theoretical problems which beset
Freudian theory and praxis.
The
This
the
research procedure was reported as fully as possible.
implies that the therapist's theoretical perspectives,
case history of the patient, and the complete
transcription
qualitatively
of the sessions are reported.
and quantitatively analysed
The results were
in an integrated
approach. The quantitative analysis was done with the use of
a computer program called WORDS, which employs a clustering
technique to indicate the development of thematic centroids.
The qualitative analysis of the sessions indicates the
sequential development of the interaction, and also includes
the analysis of the free-associations in each session.
The conclusions which are reached in this study are
constituted, and reflected in the report of the research
process itself. The observations, the thoughts, the
processes and the patterns together create the picture which
is the conclusion.