The libido theory is one of the major areas of interest in psychoanalysis. Freud’s insights in this field have been widely applied and used by psychoanalysts, adult and child psychiatrists, psychologists, educationalists, experts on child development and social workers. They have thrown light on the normal and abnormal aspects of sexual development from childhood to adulthood and on the role played by sexual development in neurotic disturbances. Further they have made possible an understanding of the complex field of sexual perversions. Originally published in 1969, in this volume the reader will find twenty-four basic psychoanalytic concepts concerning the libido theory including oral erotism, anal erotism, phallic erotism, genital erotism, the Oedipus complex of the girl, the Oedipus complex of the boy, autoerotism, narcissism, masochism, sadism and bisexuality. As in the other volumes in this series, the historical development of each concept and references to Freud’s works are clearly given so that students and scholars can pursue any aspect of special interest.

Originally published in 1970 and in contrast to the previous three volumes, which each dealt with a single subject, this volume is a miscellaneous one. Seventeen subjects were selected on the basis of their relevance for the understanding both of psychoanalytic theory and of human behaviour in general. In this volume the reader can follow the development of Freud’s theories regarding important subjects such as Fixation, Regression, Cathexis, Conflicts, Anxiety, Ambivalence, Reality Testing, Transference and Counter- Transference. Some of these subjects were chosen because of the many misconceptions and misunderstandings that surrounded them. As in previous volumes, the development of each concept is described from its conception to Freud’s final formulation and detailed references are given for the guidance of the student, the psychoanalyst, the psychiatrist, the social worker, the psychologist and the general reader.

Originally published in 1969 Dr Nagera and his collaborators isolated from Freud's work 25 basic concepts that they considered not only the cornerstones of Freud's theory of dreams but fundamental pillars for the understanding of psychoanalytic theory generally. They are presented in a condensed and concentrated manner containing all significant statements made by Freud at any point in his life on the subject of dreams, as well as tracing the historical development of his ideas wherever significant. References to the sources are given in all instances for the guidance of the student of psychoanalysis, the psychiatrist, the social worker, the psychologist or the scholarly minded reader.

Originally published in 1970, this volume describes in condensed but detailed form Freud’s development of the theory of instincts. As is well known, Freud reformulated and amplified his theory of instincts at several points during his lifetime. Such periodical amplifications and reformulations were made necessary by a number of factors, for as Freud gained experience he not only developed fresh insights but also was faced with the problem of explaining an increasing amount of clinical phenomena that offered itself for examination under the psychoanalytic microscope. There can be no doubt that Freud considered his theory of instincts as one of the corner stones of psychoanalysis and yet at the same time he recognised that it was an area where many of his formulations were necessarily of a tentative character and open to discussion and modification. In this volume the reader will be able to follow the development of Freud’s thought from his initial discovery of the duality of ‘sexual’ and ‘ego’ instincts and his recognition of the fundamental importance of the aggressive forces in human nature and behaviour, to the formulation of his theories regarding life and death.

The libido theory is one of the major areas of interest in psychoanalysis. Freud’s insights in this field have been widely applied and used by psychoanalysts, adult and child psychiatrists, psychologists, educationalists, experts on child development and social workers. They have thrown light on the normal and abnormal aspects of sexual development from childhood to adulthood and on the role played by sexual development in neurotic disturbances. Further they have made possible an understanding of the complex field of sexual perversions. Originally published in 1969, in this volume the reader will find twenty-four basic psychoanalytic concepts concerning the libido theory including oral erotism, anal erotism, phallic erotism, genital erotism, the Oedipus complex of the girl, the Oedipus complex of the boy, autoerotism, narcissism, masochism, sadism and bisexuality. As in the other volumes in this series, the historical development of each concept and references to Freud’s works are clearly given so that students and scholars can pursue any aspect of special interest.