自从佛洛伊德在1939年逝世后,精神分析学肯定并沒有处在停滞状态。虽則基本的方法变动很少,几种主要的佛洛伊德思想都經过相当的修正了。尤其在摆脱本能学說,并代之以个性內在关系的新概念方面,有人作了很认真的尝试。还有就是,心理学家的注意力已从神经变态的潜意识机能轉移到个性抵消这些机能所发揮的对抗作用上来了。按照佛洛伊德这派的說法,注意的焦点已經不再是“本能冲 Psychology has certainly not been at a standstill since Freud passed away in 1939. Although there have been few changes in the basic methods, several key Freudian ideas have been fairly revised. In particular, some serious attempts have been made to get rid of instinctual theories and replace them with new concepts of the intrinsic relationship of individuality. What is more, psychologists’ attention has shifted from subliminal neurotic metamorphosis to personality counteracting the antagonistic effects of these functions. According to this faction of Freud, the focus of attention is no longer “instinct.”