psychic apparatus

American  

[sahy-kik ap-uh-rat-uhs, -rey-tuhs] / ˈsaɪ kɪk ˌæp əˈræt əs, -ˈreɪ təs /

noun

Psychoanalysis.

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

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Etymology

Origin of psychic apparatus

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

If we now follow our scheme of the psychic apparatus, we can localize a wish of the first order in the system Forec.

From Dream Psychology Psychoanalysis for Beginners by Freud, Sigmund

We have above elaborated the fiction of a primitive psychic apparatus, whose work is regulated by the efforts to avoid accumulation of excitement and as far as possible to maintain itself free from excitement.

From Dream Psychology Psychoanalysis for Beginners by Freud, Sigmund

Perhaps we shall now begin to suspect that dream interpretation is capable of giving us hints about the structure of our psychic apparatus which we have thus far expected in vain from philosophy.

From Dream Psychology Psychoanalysis for Beginners by Freud, Sigmund

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.

From A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Freud, Sigmund

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.

From A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Freud, Sigmund