pulsiones

Pulsiones, a term originating from psychoanalytic theory, refers to an instinctual drive or urge that arises from within the organism. These drives are seen as a fundamental aspect of psychic energy, seeking expression and discharge. Unlike instincts, which are often associated with specific, fixed behaviors, pulsiones are understood as more fluid and variable, capable of finding diverse outlets.

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, initially distinguished between two primary groups of pulsiones: life pulsiones (Eros), which encompass drives related to survival, reproduction, and pleasure, and death pulsiones (Thanatos), which represent destructive and aggressive tendencies. Over time, his conceptualization evolved, with the life pulsiones being further developed into the concept of libido.

The central characteristic of a pulsión is its aim, which is to achieve satisfaction or discharge of tension. This aim can be modified or inhibited, but the underlying drive persists. The object of a pulsión is that through which satisfaction is obtained, and this object can also be changed or substituted. The source of a pulsión is a bodily state or need, and the force of the pulsión is determined by the amount of work required to achieve satisfaction.

In psychoanalytic practice, unresolved or conflicted pulsiones are considered to be a significant factor in the development of psychological distress and neurosis. Understanding and working through these drives is a key component of psychodynamic therapy. The concept of pulsiones continues to be a subject of theoretical discussion and interpretation within various schools of psychoanalytic thought.