Question

Dr. Garcia is treating a patient who has a fear of knives. He believes his patient's fear is a kind of displacement, in which the phobic object is a symbol of whatever his patient has buried deep inside her unconscious mind. Dr. Garcia's view is consistent with that of

Answer 1

Dr. Garcia's view aligns with Freudian theory, where the fear of knives symbolizes repressed unconscious material, managed through displacement, a defense mechanism to lower anxiety.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dr. Garcia's view that his patient's fear of knives may be a form of displacement, with the phobic object serving as a symbol of repressed unconscious material, is consistent with the theories of Sigmund Freud. Freud's theory suggests that the unconscious mind stores repressed memories and desires that can manifest through various defense mechanisms to reduce anxiety. Displacement, as described by Freud, involves shifting inappropriate urges or behaviors onto a less threatening target.

According to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, the unconscious mind is a repository of thoughts and feelings that are not easily accessible to the conscious mind, but that influence behaviors and emotions. Freud utilized techniques such as dream analysis, slips of the tongue, and free association to explore the unconscious mind of his patients. Therefore, Dr. Garcia's treatment approach and understanding of his patient's fear are deeply rooted in Freudian psychoanalysis.