Primary Process

In psychoanalysis, primary process refers to an irrational thought process that has arisen from the pleasure principle (the guiding force of the id that wants instant gratification of all desires). The purpose of the primary process is to deal with the tension that is created by the pleasure principle. In simpler terms, primary process can manifest itself in the form of mental imagery that may temporarily satisfy the ego such as visualizing a sandwich or a delicious meal to temporarily offset hunger pangs.