On the formation of figurative representations: An integrative psychoanalytic-neurobiological framework

Abstract

This article approaches the process of symbolization with a formalized framework that aims to integrate psychoanalytic and neurobiological findings. The authors propose a framework consisting of unconscious and conscious areas. Each of the areas provides networks for storing memories. Psychoanalytically, mental networks contain memories either unconscious or conscious. Neurobiologically, there are subunits of neuronal networks crucial for the storage and recall of memories. Communication between these networks is based on selective memory recall in order to form, for example, figurative representations.