Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-05
SUBLIMATION
By H. Arlington Bruce

= INQUIRIES have come to me concerning
the meaning of the psychological term
A "sublimation," now being widely used
by lay writer's as we'll as by psychologists.
And certainly 1t is a term the meaning of
which sh- Id be generally understood, for it
is Of much practical significance.
The life Of every individual is motivated
by number of instincts-the acquisitive in
stinct, the self-assertive instinct, the repro
ductive instinct, and so forth. These i'm
peratively crave expression, and unless they
do gain adequate expression cause psychic
stress and conflict made manifest in sundry
unpleasant ways.
Illustration of the self-assertive instinct,
for example, may lead in one case to crimi-
nal behavior, in another to a nervous break
down. AT the bottom of all functional nerv-
GUS troubles, according to many medical
psychologists, is instinct Illustration of some
sort.
J On the other hand, the requirements of
| society were permitted to give unrestrained
expression tc their instructive cravings. Civ
1lization would vanish, there could be no
well-ordered society of any Sort the world
would be a chaos of brutishness.
Consequently instinct Illustration also
may result, and frequently does result, from
wholly accidental circumstances, as when
the reproductive instinct is frustrated
through failure to marry or through child
less marriage.
Fortunately 1t is entirely possible to COM
pensate for such Illustration by directing to
socially useful ends the energy associated
with the instinct that happens to be frus-
trated. "Sublimation" is the term applied
to this compensatory action. Or, to define
it In the words of one medico-psychological
writer, Dr. I, H. Coriat:
"Sublimatfon is the capacity for replace
ment or exchange of the original aim for a
secondary social religious, scientific. or
artistic aim. 1t is really transference of
basic instincts to other instincts"
The woman denied Observation-Disclosures
frustrated as regards the reproductive in
st1nct-may take to drink or drugs, or may
But also she may avoid all evils such as
these, If she has been Pre- perly trained for
summation and can gain compensatory ex-
preston by socially creative work-in art,
literature, charitable activities, etc.
so, too, many a man obliged by chance
happenings or the requirements Of society
| to repress some dominant instructive crav-
Ing successfully sublimates by throwing him
| self with added enthusiasm into his work.
The energy which would otherwise be "short
clrcu1ted to his great hurt, is thus utilized
for his good and for the good of his fellow
men.
To be able to sublimate well is, conse-
quent1y, power greatly 10 be desired AS
Justly remarked by DR.. Abraham Myerson,
in his new book "The Foundations of Per-
sonality:"
"Sublimation is the mark Of the person
atty that will not admit defeat even to it.
self. The one who does admit defeat be-
comes resigned or seeks illicit compensa-
ton"
Obviously, then, training for character
building is essentially training for sublima-
ton. And - parent and educators mark
this closely-such training cannot be begun
too soon. For the observations of all medf-
cal psychologists go to show that the need
for sublimation begins early in life.
Copyright, 1922, by The Associated
New papers)