Screen memory is a term used in psychology to describe a memory that covers up a more unpleasant or uncomfortable memory. The word is spelled using the phonetic transcription as /skriːn ˈmɛməri/. The first syllable, /skriːn/, represents the sound made by the letters "s", "c", and "r". The second syllable, /ˈmɛməri/, represents the sounds made by the letters "m", "e", "r", and "i". The spelling accurately represents the pronunciation of the word and helps to facilitate communication between psychologists and other professionals who study the mind.
Screen memory refers to a term coined by Sigmund Freud, the pioneer of psychoanalysis, to describe a recollection or memory that masks or screens a hidden, underlying memory that is more emotionally charged or distressing. It is a concept used in the realm of psychology and psychoanalysis, pertaining to the unconscious mind.
In this context, a screen memory acts as a defense mechanism employed by the mind to shield an individual from confronting or directly accessing distressing thoughts, feelings, or experiences. The screen memory typically involves a less emotionally charged event or memory that is more readily accessible to an individual's conscious awareness. It serves as a diversion or camouflage, obscuring the true, more unsettling memory lurking beneath.
This phenomenon is often observed in psychoanalytic therapy sessions when clients recount certain memories that may appear trivial or mundane initially. However, upon further exploration and analysis, it becomes evident that these seemingly insignificant memories are symbolic or metaphorical representations of deeper, repressed, or forgotten experiences that hold significant emotional significance.
Screen memories are believed to be a means through which the unconscious mind provides a protective barrier against distressing or traumatic memories, allowing individuals to cope with difficult emotions or experiences without becoming overwhelmed. Psychoanalytic practitioners utilize the concept of screen memories to help unravel the hidden layers of a person's psyche, providing insight into their unconscious processes and aiding in the therapeutic process.
The term "screen memory" was coined by Sigmund Freud, the renowned Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis. It refers to a type of memory experienced during psychoanalysis sessions, where a seemingly insignificant or unrelated memory serves as a protective screen, hiding or disguising another, possibly more distressing, memory or emotion.
The etymology of the term itself stems from the English word "screen", which is derived from the Middle Dutch "scren" and the Old English "scrin", both meaning a protective shelter or covering. The concept of a screen, in this context, is that it acts as a shield, concealing underlying thoughts and feelings.
Freud borrowed the term "screen memory" from the French phrase "écran de souvenir", which translates to "screen of memory". He adopted and popularized the term in his psychoanalytic writings and theories to describe the phenomenon he observed during therapy sessions.