The Basis Of Regression Analysis

Joseph Lichtenberg (1925-) is one of the cotemporary famous self psychologist. On the basis of inter-subjectivity theory and his clinical practice, he combines the theory of self psychology with the research results in psychological field, and creates motivational system theory. He believes that the core of psychoanalysis theory is a motivational system, which is consisted of five sub-systems. These five sub-systems are mutual-influential, and are shaped by the lived experience, as well as the affect and the sense of self. In the explaining of five sub-systems, he notes that the motivational systems based on the regulation of physiological requirement is formed by the initiative adaption of infant; the attachment-affiliation motivational system includes the attachment to the caretaker and the group, and develops a self-differentiation mechanism; the expiration-assertive motivational system is from the experience of problem-solving, and is developed by playing and the infant-caretaker’s mutual-affect; the aversive motivational system is from the innate responses of revolting and retreating, and is influenced by the aversive responses and affect; the sensual-sexual motivational system is divided into sensual enjoyment and sexual excitement these two components, the modes of sensual enjoyment sexual excitement between male and female babies are also different. In the clinical viewpoint, Lichtenberg emphasizes the analyst’s focus to the affect, lived experience, and regarded them as the important content for analyst’s understanding of the patient. Meanwhile, on the basis of motivational system theory and his clinical experience, he improves Kohut’s technique of empathy, creates the technique of model scene, and suggests the using of patience’s non-language information to comprehend their cognitions and emotions. The motivational system theory enriches the theory on motivation in psychoanalysis, develops the theory and clinical technique in self psychology. At the same time, it is also confronted by doubts and challenges, and needs further improvement, promotion and external integration.