The term "sublimation" is known to psychologists and physicists, but the meaning they put in it is different. For physicists, sublimation and desublimation of a substance is a transition from a solid substance to a gaseous one and vice versa, without passing through a liquid phase in both cases. In psychology, sublimation has a completely different meaning, we'll talk about it, as well as the influence of this process on creativity.
Method of sublimation in psychology
In a broad sense, sublimation is a protective mechanism of the psyche, which allows you to remove internal tension and redirect it to achieve any goal. Thus, it is possible to use almost any impulse unacceptable to a person for constructive and demanded activities. The following examples of sublimation can be cited:
- the propensity to violence is satisfied when working in the police;
- unhealthy interest in corpses is sublimated by the pathologist;
- sadistic inclinations can be turned into a surgeon's work;
- refusal of active sexual life allows you to get more strength for creativity or pursuing science.
Sublimation of sexual energy according to Freud
The concept of sublimation was first introduced by Sigmund Freud in 1900. He developed the concept of psychoanalysis, in which this process is seen as a transformation of the drive to achieve socially meaningful goals. It should be noted that sublimation according to Freud is the redirection of sexual energy. He even believed that any creativity is the result of redirecting energy from erotic goals to their work. And under the concept of "creativity" Freud meant both work in the field of art (painting, music), and intellectual work (scientific activity).
Today, sublimation in psychology has a broader meaning, but still it is sexual energy that is the most powerful and noticeable engine for any activity. Let's take a closer look at how this process affects creativity.
Sublimation of sexual energy and creativity
Despite the fact that Freud was the founder of the theory of sublimation, he could not describe his technology. Moreover, it is still unknown how exactly sexual energy is transformed into a driving force for creative activity. But it is for certain that every person is engaged in sublimation of this kind at least once in his life.
You certainly noticed that during the period of falling in love you are overwhelmed by the desire to do something. Often, it is the lovers (happy and not very) who create masterpieces of art, make scientific discoveries. But even when the volcano of passion does not rage in your heart, you may be engaged in an involuntary sublimation of sexual energy, which was not in demand. The simplest confirmation of this process will be colorful and interesting dreams. They are considered the simplest product that our unconscious produces. We saw a beautiful dream, then unconsciously engaged in creativity, and therefore sublimated energy. The higher stage of sublimation is conscious creation - writing stories and poems, painting walls with crazy graffiti, composing music, engaging
Some scientists and workers of creative professions deliberately refuse to have sex in order to achieve outstanding results. Perhaps this will allow reaching the set goals in the shortest possible time, but no psychotherapist will recommend to refuse sex altogether. Sex gives a sense of happiness, and this feeling is also filled with crazy energy, which can also be directed to creation.