psychic apparatus

[sahy-kik ap-uh-rat-uhs, -rey-tuhs]

noun

Psychoanalysis.

1. the mind considered as a collection of structures and mechanisms, such as ego, superego, and id.

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychic apparatus¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

This becomes all the more important to me if you should warn me that this arrangement of the psychic apparatus, such as I have assumed in the explanation of neurotic symptoms, must be generally applicable and must hold for normal functioning as well.

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Any assumption as to the structure of the psychic apparatus which covers the development of both the dream and the neurotic symptom has also an undeniable claim to be taken into consideration in any theory of normal psychic life.

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We may only venture to say that pleasurable excitation in some way involves lessening, lowering or obliterating the amount of stimuli present in the psychic apparatus.

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It thus appears that we can describe the tasks and performances of the psychic apparatus in different and more generalized terms than by the emphasis of the pursuit of pleasure.

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We may say that the psychic apparatus serves the purpose of mastering and bringing to rest the mass of stimuli and the stimulating forces which approach it.

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