Cosmologic Triadic Drive Theory: The Physics of the Psyche (Paperback or Softback)

The Physics of the Psyche is the work of late Dr. William L. Johnson that introduces the reader to the Triadic Drive Theory (TDT), which explains how the forces of the universe create our mentality. It begins from a different reality - about the nature of human beings - than has been commonly held by psychology and psychoanalysis. TDT's initial proposition is that the constant forces of physics throughout the universe, and in the operations of subatomic particles in the atoms of our brain cells, produce the energy of our two most basic life-determining psychic drives, construdo and destrudo.

Construdo is the drive that helps us to combine and connect thoughts, ideas, emotions, concepts, attitudes, and beliefs, as well as to connect with other cultures, societies, families, and people. The second drive, destrudo, determines why, when, and how such unions are broken apart, damaged, or overthrown. It is proposed that these two drives and their derivatives determine more human behaviors than Freud's libido drive and its derivatives.

Triadic Drive Theory asserts that the forces of physics that govern and hold the universe together constitute the true universal reality for humans, as well as for all other species. Thus Dr. Johnson proposes an axiom: the universe and the humans are governed by the same principles of physics. So, the focus of this theoretical and psychoanalytic endeavor is about how these forces of physics produce our cognitive or mental drives.

In this book, Dr. Johnson offers application of TDT to clinical practice, including Freud's "dream work," psychopathology diagnosis, object relations, and work with couples, while adding the physical dimensions of time and space.

The author of this book, Dr. William L. Johnson (1932-2014) was a psychologist and psychoanalyst. He received a B.A. in Psychology from Queens College, a Master's Degree in Psychology from The New School for Social Research, an M.S.Ed in Clinical Psychology from City College of New York, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University. He later earned a post-graduate certificate in psychoanalysis from Adelphi University. During his psychoanalytic training, Dr. Johnson studied with one of Sigmund Freud's first students, Theodor Reik. In the 80s, Dr. Johnson was an associate professor in the doctoral programs in clinical psychology at both Adelphi University and New York University. After being appointed chief psychologist at Orange County Mental Health Clinic in Goshen, NY, in the early 1960s, Dr. Johnson began private practice in Monroe, NY and Greenwich Village, NY City. He maintained both for nearly 50 years until his death.