Cathexis

This article is about the psychological term. For other uses, see Cathexis (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Catharsis.
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In psychoanalysis, cathexis (or emotional investment) is defined as the process of allocation of mental or emotional energy to a person, object, or idea.[1][2]

  1. ^ Laplanche, Jean; Pontalis, Jean-Bertrand (1988) [1973]. "Cathexis (pp. 62–5)". The Language of Psycho-Analysis (Reprint, revised ed.). London: Karnac Books. ISBN 978-1-781-81026-2.
  2. ^ Hall, Calvin S. A Primer of Freudian Psychology. New York: Mentor, 1954.