Psychoanalysis Uses as a Form of Critical Theory - Essay Example

In what ways can psychoanalysis be used as a form of critical theory? Discuss, with specific reference to at least two theorists In order to understand the relationship between psychoanalysis and critical theory it would be necessary to refer primarily to the main aspects of psychoanalysis as they have been observed through the relevant empirical tests. In accordance with an article published by the MentalHelp net ‘psychoanalysis is a family of psychological theories and methods within the field of psychotherapy that seeks to elucidate connections among unconscious components of patients mental processes, and to do so in a systematic way through a process of tracing out associations’ (MentalHelp.net, online article). The particular theoretical concept could be also described using different theoretical elements; it is for this reason that through the years psychoanalysis has been evaluated by theorists in accordance with a series of different criteria; the analysis made and the explanations given for the different aspects of psychoanalysis are strongly related with the social conditions of each specific era and the personal views of each theorist taking into account the fact that all parts/ sectors of psychology cannot be standardized; instead they can present many different forms under the terms already explained above (social and cultural characteristics of a specific society, level of knowledge and personal experiences of the theorists involved). However, it has been stated that ‘in classical psychoanalysis, the fundamental subject matter of psychoanalysis is the unconscious patterns of life as they become revealed through the analysands (the patients) free associations’ (MentalHelp.net, online article). In other words, the evaluation of the methods used in the psychoanalysis could be based on specific standards; but this assumption involves mostly to the classical form of the specific scientific sector; it is not related with each various sub-forms. On the other hand, psychoanalysis has been transformed through the years in order to meet the trends of each society and the needs of people around the world. The specific issue was examined by Fogany (1999) who came to the result that ‘the aims of psychoanalysis have been greatly elaborated over the hundred years since Freuds original model of undoing repression and recovering memory into consciousness (see for example Sandler & Dreher, 1997); but these advances have not brought with them an updating of the role of memory in the therapeutic process, nor a clear and consistent theory of therapeutic effect’ (Fonagy, 1999, online article). In the above context, psychoanalysis interacts with many behavioural and theoretical norms and theories, especially with the critical theory. In fact, psychoanalysis should be considered as being closely related with critical theory (even leading to the assumption that psychoanalysis is a form of critical theory) as all support offered to people that participate in groups of psychoanalysis (or participate as individuals to such a project) is based on the use of critique in order to explain effectively all aspects of human behaviour – especially the decisions taken by individuals regarding specific actions and initiatives. In order to understand the relationship between psychoanalysis and critical theory, it is necessary to present primarily the main aspects of the above two theoretical concepts. Psychoanalysis has been already explained above; however critical theory should be also presented and evaluated using the main views of the theorists that were dealt with the particular theory in all its aspects. In accordance with Williams (1999, online article) ‘critical Theory is a broad tradition based upon the use of the critique as a method of investigation; the primary characteristic of this school of thought is that social theory, whether reflected to educational research, art, philosophy, literature, or business, should play a significant role in changing the world, not just recording information’. There are many theorists that have examined the characteristics and the role of critical theory in modern society; the most known theorists of the first ‘generation’ (classical theorists) of theorists that were dealt with the critical theory have been those that participated in the Frankfurt School. Among those theorists are Theodor Adorno and Erich Fromn. In accordance with the views of the former of the above theorists, Theodor Adorno, the structure of society should be a priority when analyzing the social behaviour of people within a particular society. More specifically, it is stated that ‘the point of a new "critical" sociology, from the standpoint of of Adorno, is to highlight the intrinsic tension" between the need for the structures of society, which are open to reflection, and the ways they inhibit subjectivity and its desire for freedom it is in order to explore this tension that Adorno has recourse to the categories of idealism, like totality and mediation, which were ignored by the mainstream’ (Bronner, 1998, online article). In other words, critical theory for Adorno should be used in order to analyze the particular aspects of social behaviour and from this point of view the specific theory could be also used in psychoanalysis (when specific aspects of social behaviour are set under examination using the principles of psychoanalysis). In accordance with the other theorist referring to critical theory, Erich Fromn, psychoanalysis and critical theory could possibly interact at the level that psychoanalysis refers to specific social and cultural problems (like gender differences and so on). Erich Fromn has been one of the most significant representatives of the above mentioned Frankfurt School and his work is highly depended on the views and the ideas stated by the theorists of this School. It should be noticed that Erich Fromn was also influenced by other social theorists, like Marx, trying to identify the elements and the reasons of the social behaviour (more as a theoretical aspect than a practical event). In accordance with Kellner (1998, online article) ‘the key conception of psychoanalysis for Fromm is the "active and passive adaptation of the biological apparatus, the instincts, to social reality" (Fromm {1932a} 1970, p. 141); psychoanalysis is especially valuable for social psychology in that it seeks "to discover the hidden sources of the obviously irrational behavior patterns in societal life -- in religion, custom, politics, and education" (Fromm {1932a} 1970, p. 141)’. In other words, psychoanalysis is severely influenced by the social trends of a particular era (also by the cultural characteristics of a specific society). Under these terms, psychoanalysis could be possibly regarded as a form of critical theory but only under specific terms and conditions – the aspects of critique used in the explanation of specific social behaviour (within the context of psychoanalysis) should be in accordance with the social and cultural trends of a specific era. Moreover, the views of Fromn (as presented above) are considered as related with specific ‘alterations’ of critical theory. In this context, it is supported that ‘one could thus read Fromms essay on Bachofen as the first attempt to develop a feminist dimension within Critical Theory; for instance, in discussion of the transition from matriarchy to patriarchy, Fromm suggests some of the ways that the patriarchal social structure "is closely bound up with the class character of present-day society.... The patriarchal family is one of the most important loci for producing the psychic attitudes that operate to maintain the stability of class society" (Fromm {1934} 1970, p. 124, in Kellner, 1998, online article). In accordance with the above, the role of Fromn in the development of Critical Theory has been quite important. However, the above theorist has been differentiated by Adorno in terms of the aspects of social behaviour used for the explanation of Critical Theory. Fromn has focused on specific aspects of social behaviour in order to reach a valid assumption for the importance of Critical Theory in the explanation of various methods used in psychoanalysis; on the other hand, Adorno has been based on a ‘wider’ explanation of Critical Theory avoiding to refer to its practical intervention in daily social phenomena. It could be stated that the last years the role of Critical theory – as well as of other theories – in the development of specific projects of psychological support has been increased. Indeed the study of Clarke (2006, 1153) led to the assumption that ‘psychoanalytic ideas have been largely developed within sociological theory rather than practice; there does, however, seem to be a new frame of thought and practice emerging which we could term psycho-social studies, perhaps even a new discipline in its own right’. In the above context, the relationship between the psychoanalysis and the Critical Theory cannot be denied. However, it could be stated that the former cannot be regarded as a form of the latter. Instead, Critical Theory can be used in order to develop the particular aspects of psychoanalysis but there could be no further dependence of the latter from the former. References Bronner, S. (1998) Dialectics at a Standstill: A Methodological Inquiry Into the Philosophy of Theodor W. Adorno, [online], available at http://www.uta.edu/huma/illuminations/bron2.htm Clarke, S. (2006) Theory and Practice: Psychoanalytic Sociology as Psycho-Social Studies. Sociology, 40(6): 1153-1169 Fonagy, P. (1999) Memory and Therapeutic Action. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, [online], available at http://www.ijpa.org/editorial.htm Kellner, N. (1998) Erich Fromm, Feminism, and the Frankfurt School, [online], available at http://www.uta.edu/huma/illuminations/kell8.htm Mental Help net (2008) online article, available at http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8135&cn=91 Randall, H. (1995) Between Marxism and Psychoanalysis: Antifascism and Antihomosexuality in the Frankfurt School. Journal of Homosexuality, 29(4): 295-318 Williams, L. (1999) Critical Theory, [online], available at http://www.edb.utexas.edu/faculty/scheurich/proj3/ct1.html Read More