Active inference and psychodynamics: a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disorders
This paper introduces Active Intersubjective Inference (AISI), a novel framework that integrates psychodynamic theory with predictive processing to explain self-identity construction and psychopathology. AISI posits that the self emerges from recursive inferences about how others perceive us (second...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1630858/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849736406496182272 |
|---|---|
| author | Hebert W. Harris |
| author_facet | Hebert W. Harris |
| author_sort | Hebert W. Harris |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper introduces Active Intersubjective Inference (AISI), a novel framework that integrates psychodynamic theory with predictive processing to explain self-identity construction and psychopathology. AISI posits that the self emerges from recursive inferences about how others perceive us (second-order self), interacting bidirectionally with interoceptive processes. We map psychodynamic phenomena (e.g., transference, projection) onto neurocomputational mechanisms and apply AISI to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), highlighting distorted second-order inference as a core dysfunction. Therapeutic implications include psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and psychedelic-assisted treatments to enhance inference flexibility. AISI bridges psychodynamic insights with the NIMH Research Domain Criteria, offering a testable model for precision psychiatry and future clinical trials. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7b6a7865e27344bea4957f8b7b636c93 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-7b6a7865e27344bea4957f8b7b636c932025-08-20T03:07:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-08-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.16308581630858Active inference and psychodynamics: a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disordersHebert W. HarrisThis paper introduces Active Intersubjective Inference (AISI), a novel framework that integrates psychodynamic theory with predictive processing to explain self-identity construction and psychopathology. AISI posits that the self emerges from recursive inferences about how others perceive us (second-order self), interacting bidirectionally with interoceptive processes. We map psychodynamic phenomena (e.g., transference, projection) onto neurocomputational mechanisms and apply AISI to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), highlighting distorted second-order inference as a core dysfunction. Therapeutic implications include psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and psychedelic-assisted treatments to enhance inference flexibility. AISI bridges psychodynamic insights with the NIMH Research Domain Criteria, offering a testable model for precision psychiatry and future clinical trials.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1630858/fullactive inferencepredictive processingpsychodynamic theorysecond-order selfdepressionPTSD |
| spellingShingle | Hebert W. Harris Active inference and psychodynamics: a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disorders Frontiers in Psychiatry active inference predictive processing psychodynamic theory second-order self depression PTSD |
| title | Active inference and psychodynamics: a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disorders |
| title_full | Active inference and psychodynamics: a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disorders |
| title_fullStr | Active inference and psychodynamics: a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Active inference and psychodynamics: a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disorders |
| title_short | Active inference and psychodynamics: a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disorders |
| title_sort | active inference and psychodynamics a novel integration with applications to depression and stress disorders |
| topic | active inference predictive processing psychodynamic theory second-order self depression PTSD |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1630858/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hebertwharris activeinferenceandpsychodynamicsanovelintegrationwithapplicationstodepressionandstressdisorders |