pulsión

Pulsión is a term originating from psychoanalytic theory, most notably developed by Sigmund Freud. It refers to an innate, instinctual drive or urge that motivates behavior. Unlike a reflex, which is a direct response to an external stimulus, a pulsión is an internal, psychical energy that seeks discharge. Freud initially identified two primary pulsiones: Eros, the life pulsión encompassing sexual drives and self-preservation, and Thanatos, the death pulsión representing aggression and a drive towards destruction or a return to an inorganic state.

Pulsiones are characterized by several key features. They are in a constant state of tension or pressure, which the organism seeks to reduce. This tension is experienced as a discomfort or need. The object of a pulsión is not fixed and can change depending on circumstances, as the aim is primarily to achieve gratification or release. The source of a pulsión is a physiological process within the body, making it a bridge between the somatic and the psychic.

The concept of pulsión has been subject to various interpretations and developments within psychoanalytic thought beyond Freud. While the original dualistic model of life and death pulsiones is foundational, later theorists have explored the nuances and complexities of these drives, their relationship with defense mechanisms, and their manifestation in personality and psychopathology. Understanding pulsión is central to grasping the dynamics of the human psyche as understood by psychoanalysis.