Difference between revisions of "Acting out"
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| + | ==Sigmund Freud== | ||
"[[Acting out]]" is the term which is used in the ''[[Standard Edition]]'' to translate the [[German]] term ''[[Agieren]]'' used by [[Freud]]. | "[[Acting out]]" is the term which is used in the ''[[Standard Edition]]'' to translate the [[German]] term ''[[Agieren]]'' used by [[Freud]]. | ||
| − | + | ==Repetition== | |
| − | |||
| − | == | ||
One of the most important themes running throughout [[Freud]]'s [[Works of Sigmund Freud|work]] is the opposition between [[repeating]] and [[remembering]]. | One of the most important themes running throughout [[Freud]]'s [[Works of Sigmund Freud|work]] is the opposition between [[repeating]] and [[remembering]]. | ||
These are, so to speak, "contrasting ways of bringing the past into the present."<ref>Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Betrand. ''The Language of Psycho-Analysis''. Trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis. 1967. p.4</ref> | These are, so to speak, "contrasting ways of bringing the past into the present."<ref>Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Betrand. ''The Language of Psycho-Analysis''. Trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis. 1967. p.4</ref> | ||
| + | ==Memory== | ||
If past events are [[repressed]] from [[memory]], they return by expressing themselves in actions; when the [[subject]] does not [[remember]] the past, therefore, he is condemned to [[repeat]] it by [[acting out|acting it out]]. | If past events are [[repressed]] from [[memory]], they return by expressing themselves in actions; when the [[subject]] does not [[remember]] the past, therefore, he is condemned to [[repeat]] it by [[acting out|acting it out]]. | ||
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==Motivation== | ==Motivation== | ||
| − | |||
Although an element of [[repetition]] can be found in almost every [[human]] [[action]], the term "[[acting out]]" is usually reserved for those [[action]]s which display "an impulsive aspect relatively out of harmony with the subject's usual motivational patterns" and which are therefore "fairly easy to isolate from the overall trends of his activity."<ref>Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Betrand. ''The Language of Psycho-Analysis''. Trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis. 1967. p.4</ref> | Although an element of [[repetition]] can be found in almost every [[human]] [[action]], the term "[[acting out]]" is usually reserved for those [[action]]s which display "an impulsive aspect relatively out of harmony with the subject's usual motivational patterns" and which are therefore "fairly easy to isolate from the overall trends of his activity."<ref>Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Betrand. ''The Language of Psycho-Analysis''. Trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis. 1967. p.4</ref> | ||
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==Jacques Lacan== | ==Jacques Lacan== | ||
| + | [[Lacan]], following a tradition in psychoanalytic writing, uses this term in [[English]]. | ||
From a [[Lacan]]ian perspective, this basic definition of "[[acting out]]" is true but incomplete; it ignores the dimension of the [[Other]]. | From a [[Lacan]]ian perspective, this basic definition of "[[acting out]]" is true but incomplete; it ignores the dimension of the [[Other]]. | ||
| − | + | ==Recollection== | |
| + | Thus while [[Lacan]] maintains that [[acting out]] results from a failure to [[recollect]] the past, he emphasizes the [[intersubjective]] dimension of [[recollection]]. | ||
In other words, [[recollection]] does not merely involve recalling something to [[consciousness]], but also [[communicating]] this to an [[Other]] by means of [[speech]]. | In other words, [[recollection]] does not merely involve recalling something to [[consciousness]], but also [[communicating]] this to an [[Other]] by means of [[speech]]. | ||
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Hence [[acting out]] results when [[recollection]] is made impossible by the refusal of the [[Other]] to listen. | Hence [[acting out]] results when [[recollection]] is made impossible by the refusal of the [[Other]] to listen. | ||
| − | When the [[Other]] has become "deaf," the [[subject]] cannot convey a message to him in words, and is forced to expressed the message in [[action]]s. | + | ==Communication== |
| + | When the [[Other]] has become "deaf," the [[subject]] cannot convey a [[message]] to him in words, and is forced to expressed the [[message]] in [[action]]s. | ||
| − | The [[acting out]] is thus a ciphered message which the [[subject]] addresses to an [[Other]], although the [[subject]] himself is neither [[conscious]] of the content of this message nor even aware that his [[action]]s express a message. | + | The [[acting out]] is thus a ciphered [[message]] which the [[subject]] addresses to an [[Other]], although the [[subject]] himself is neither [[conscious]] of the content of this [[message]] nor even aware that his [[action]]s express a [[message]]. |
| − | It is the [[Other]] who is entrusted with deciphering the message; yet it is impossible for him to do so. | + | It is the [[Other]] who is entrusted with deciphering the [[message]]; yet it is impossible for him to do so. |
| + | ==See Also== | ||
| + | {{See}} | ||
| + | * [[Act]] | ||
| + | * [[Analysand]] | ||
| + | * [[Communication]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Consciousness]] | ||
| + | * [[Intersubjectivity]] | ||
| + | * [[Memory]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Other]] | ||
| + | * [[Recollection]] | ||
| + | * [[Repetition]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Repression]] | ||
| + | * [[Subject]] | ||
| + | * [[Treatment]] | ||
| + | {{Also}} | ||
| + | == References == | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | ||
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]] | [[Category:Jacques Lacan]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Practice]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Treatment]] | ||
[[Category:Dictionary]] | [[Category:Dictionary]] | ||
| − | |||
[[Category:Concepts]] | [[Category:Concepts]] | ||
[[Category:Terms]] | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
| + | {{OK}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | __NOTOC__ | ||
Revision as of 06:40, 24 August 2006
Sigmund Freud
"Acting out" is the term which is used in the Standard Edition to translate the German term Agieren used by Freud.
Repetition
One of the most important themes running throughout Freud's work is the opposition between repeating and remembering.
These are, so to speak, "contrasting ways of bringing the past into the present."[1]
Memory
If past events are repressed from memory, they return by expressing themselves in actions; when the subject does not remember the past, therefore, he is condemned to repeat it by acting it out.
Conversely, psychoanalytic treatment aims to break the cycle of repetition by helping the patient to remember.
Motivation
Although an element of repetition can be found in almost every human action, the term "acting out" is usually reserved for those actions which display "an impulsive aspect relatively out of harmony with the subject's usual motivational patterns" and which are therefore "fairly easy to isolate from the overall trends of his activity."[2]
The subject fails to understand his motives for the action.
Jacques Lacan
Lacan, following a tradition in psychoanalytic writing, uses this term in English.
From a Lacanian perspective, this basic definition of "acting out" is true but incomplete; it ignores the dimension of the Other.
Recollection
Thus while Lacan maintains that acting out results from a failure to recollect the past, he emphasizes the intersubjective dimension of recollection.
In other words, recollection does not merely involve recalling something to consciousness, but also communicating this to an Other by means of speech.
Hence acting out results when recollection is made impossible by the refusal of the Other to listen.
Communication
When the Other has become "deaf," the subject cannot convey a message to him in words, and is forced to expressed the message in actions.
The acting out is thus a ciphered message which the subject addresses to an Other, although the subject himself is neither conscious of the content of this message nor even aware that his actions express a message.
It is the Other who is entrusted with deciphering the message; yet it is impossible for him to do so.
See Also
References
- ↑ Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Betrand. The Language of Psycho-Analysis. Trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis. 1967. p.4
- ↑ Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Betrand. The Language of Psycho-Analysis. Trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis. 1967. p.4
