References to Psychology in Neon Genesis Evangelion

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This article bears the unpleasant designation of "Stub." This is a Bad Thing. Provide a great service to NGE fan-geeks everywhere by making it awesomer!


To be paired with Religious References in Neon Genesis Evangelion (and perhaps with Sexual Imagery in Neon Genesis Evangelion?). Guidelines for expansion: The top part is only for concrete and confirmed references. The bottom part, which bears the T&A label, allows some theorization, thematic analysis etc. But please be concise and try to avoid that type of kitchen sink philosophy found on trillion dubious fan-sites.

Destrudo

Destrudo describes a psychic energy that arises from the Death Drive (Thanatos). It is basically the mechanism that is involved in the destruction of a living being, essentially returning that living being back to "nothing" in extreme cases. It is implied that the effects of destrudo manifest in a living being's A.T. Field. The term is loosely taken from Freudian Psychology and is an opposing energy to Libido as seen in the Psychographs of Episode 20.

Depression

A BGM title that's a reference to the mental disorder.

Hedgehog's Dilemma

This is a concept created by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. [Source needed] The analogy describes a situation of hedgehogs having to hurt one another with their quills if they wish to be close to each other for warmth during cold weather. It is a statement on how human beings cannot become intimate with others without sustaining the unavoidable mutual harm that comes with it. The dilemma is then simply trading pain for a deeper connection and interaction with others. As such, it is an explanation to why people sometimes avoid contact, even to the point of complete isolation. Although the analogy is flawed in that hedgehogs don't actually hurt each other in close proximity, the idea behind this attribute of human interaction has been adopted by others, notably Freud.

Libido

Libido describes a psychic energy that arises from the Life Drive (Eros). It is basically the mechanism that is involved in the creation of a living being, essentially forming a living being out of "nothing" in extreme cases. It is implied that the effects of libido manifest in a living being's A.T. Field. The term is loosely taken from Freudian Psychology and is an opposing energy to Destrudo also as seen in the Psychographs of Episode 20.

Oral Stage

The English title for Episode 20, Weaving a Story part two: Oral Stage. In psychoanalysis, the oral stage is the first stage of Freud's psychosexual stages about child development. An infant derives pleasure from having things in their mouth at this stage.

Pleasure Principle

A BGM title. It is a principle that simply states that people seek pleasure and avoid pain. According to Freud, the part of the psyche that acts according to this principle is the id. You can find the Wikipedia entry here

Thanatos

This is the Death Drive, somewhat like an "instinct/wish" to die. Freud says this on the Death Drive: "an urge inherent in all organic life to restore an earlier state of things". This may be related to tanging. It is also another BGM title.

The Sickness Unto Death

The first title of Episode 16, Sickness unto death, and..., is a reference to a book by the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. <- Wikipedia link, we could use something better.

Separation Anxiety

A BGM title that's a reference to the psychological condition where people feel extremely anxious with being away from home or people they're emotionally attached to. Separation Anxiety can become a disorder depending on the severity of it.


Theory & Analysis

DEEP.
  • Oedipal tension!
  • Return to the womb!
  • Cocks everywhere! (See: Sexual Imagery in NGE)
    • The Phallus Chair and the Shadow Boner?