DYNAMICS AND PSYCHODYNAMICS - PROCESS FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY

The dynamics of creative processes offers a theoretical foundation for psychodynamics, and practical methods for research and clinical pract ice. Psychological phenomena are complex sequences of physical action (action = energy x time). The same simple processes repeat at every le vel of organization: (0) spontaneous fluctuations; (1) temporal flow; (2) oppositions (harmonic, conflictual and creative) but not equilibri um; (3) co-creations of tridimensional structure, and of higher dimens ional organization. Simpler processes have priority, but complex organ ization acquires supremacy (as contrasted to both biological reduction ism and psychological autonomy). Operationalizing these principles, th e process method studies processes as time series, analyzes change in terms of opposites (harmony/conflict, attraction/repulsion) using a co ordinate plane, and measures organization by quantifying recurrences a nd entropy in multidimensional frameworks. The process method is illus trated by longitudinal recordings of mood (psychogeometry), of interpe rsonal relations (sociodynamic tests), and of heart rate patterns asso ciated with emotions. These studies reveal novelty-rich multidimension al patterns (complexes), instead of the stable low-dimensional attract ors of deterministic dynamics, or the random distributions of probabil istic models. Conceptualizing psychological processes as complex and c reative physiological actions suggests a new approach to clinical diag nosis and treatment.