The Economic Principle in Psychoanalysis: II. Regulatory Principles

Reconsideration of the role of the economic principle in psychoanalytic metapsychology—as independent of the energic model Freud introduced to substantiate the economic requirements of the theory—also calls for revaluation of the scientific and regulatory principles governing the organization and integration of psychic functions. Reassessment of these principles is mandatory since they were originally derived from energic considerations. Recasting the theory in modified nonenergic terms suggests that the regulatory principles play a different role in governing psychic activity. Once divorced from their energic dependency, the regulatory principles can be recast as operational principles determining the stimulus conditions governing activation and integration of receptive and response systems and their adaptive integration in assimilative and accommodative patterns of environmental interaction. Reformulations are suggested for the general principles of determination, overdetermination, and multiple function, and for more specific regulatory principles of inertia, constancy, pleasure-unpleasure, reality, repetition and primary—secondary process.