Intuition VI. The psychodynamics of intuition

Summary The psychodynamics of intuition are considered from the viewpoints of psychoanalysis and structural analysis.⁸ An example is offered to illustrate the fact that ethical as well as logical thinking can interfere with the intuitive process. Defenses against scopophilia, the need to be alert, and oral receptivity seem to give rise to a resistance against the whole topic. Conversely, intuitive faculties are probably most readily available to individuals who have successfully sublimated scopophiliac, paranoid, and oral receptive tendencies. Sources of error, and the role of the intellect in clinical intuition, are discussed.