repetition (rÈpÈtition)
Freud's most important discussion of the repetition compulsion (Wiederholungszwang) occurs in [[Beyond the Pleasure Principle]] (1920g) where he links it to the concept of the [[death drive]]. Freud posited the existence of a basic compulsion to repeat in order to explain certain clinical data: namely, the tendency of the subject to expose himself again and again to distressing situations. It is a basic principle of psychoanalysis that a person is only condemned to repeat something when he has forgotten the origins of the compulsion, and that psychoanalytic treatment can therefore break the cycle of repetition by helping the patient remember (see [[Acting Out]]).
repetition (rÈpÈtition) FreudIn Lacan's most important discussion pre-1950s work, the concept of repetition is linked with that of the repeti[[complex]] -an internalised social structure which the subject repeatedly and compulsively re-enacts. At this time Lacan often translates Freud's Wiederholungszwang as automatisme de rÈpÈtition, a term borrowed from French psychiatry. <ref>Pierre Janet, GaÎtan Gatian de ClÈrambault</ref>
tion While Lacan never completely abandons the term automatisme de rÈpÈtition, in the 1950s he increasingly uses the term 'insistence' (Fr. instance) to refer to the repetition compulsion . Thus repetition is -- now defined -- as the insistence of the signifier, or the insistence of the signifying chain, or the insistence of the letter (Wiederholungszwangl'instance de la lettre) occurs ; 'repetition is fundamentally the insistence of speech.'<ref>S3, 242</ref> Certain signifiers insist on returning in Beyond the Pleasure Prinlife of the subject, despite the resistances which block them. In [[schemaL]], repetition / insistence is represented by the axis A-S, while the axis a-a' represents the resistance (or 'inertia') which opposes repetition.
ciple (1920g) where he links it In the 1960s, repetition is redefined as the return of jouissance, an excess of enjoyment which returns again and again to transgress the concept limits of the DEATH DREVE[[pleasure principle]] and seek death. Freud posited<ref> (S17, 51</ref>
The repetition compulsion manifests itself in analytic treatment in the [[transference]], whereby the analysand repeats in his relationship to the analyst certain attitudes which characterised his earlier relationships with his parents and others. Lacan lays great emphasis on this [[Symbolic]] aspect of transference, distinguishing it from the [[Imaginary]] dimension of transference (the existence affects of a basic love and hate).<ref>(S8, 204</ref> However, Lacan points out that although the repetition compulsion manifests itself perhaps most clearly in the transference, it is not in itself limited to repeat the transference; in order itself, 'the concept of repetition has nothing to explain certain clinicaldo with the concept of transference.'<ref>Sll, 33</ref>
data: namely, the tendency of the subject to expose himself again and again to distressing situations. It is a basic principle of psychoanalysis that a person is only condemned to repeat something when he has forgotten the origins of the compulsion, and that psychoanalytic treatment can therefore break the cycle of repetition by helping the patient remember (see [[Acting Out]]). In Lacan's pre-1950s work, the concept of repetition is linked with that of the COMPLEX - an internalised social structure which the subject repeatedly and compulsively re-enacts. At this time Lacan often translates Freud's Wiederho- lungszwang as automatisme de rÈpÈtition, a term borrowed from French psychiatry (Pierre Janet, GaÎtan Gatian de ClÈrambault). While Lacan never completely abandons the term automatisme de rÈpÈti- tion, in the 1950s he increasingly uses the term 'insistence' (Fr. instance) to refer to the repetition compulsion. Thus repetition is now defined as the insistence of the signifier, or the insistence of the signifying chain, or the insistence of the letter (l'instance de la lettre); 'repetition is fundamentally the insistence of speech' (S3, 242). Certain signifiers insist on returning in the life of the subject, despite the resistances which block them. In scHEMA L, repetitionlinsistence is represented by the axis A-S, while the axis a-a' represents the resistance (or 'inertia') which opposes repetition. In the 1960s, repetition is redefined as the return of jouissance, an excess of enjoyment which returns again and again to transgress the limits of the PLEASURE PRINCIPLE and seek death (S17, 51). The repetition compulsion manifests itself in analytic treatment in the TRANSFERENCE, whereby the analysand repeats in his relationship to the analyst certain attitudes which characterised his earlier relationships with his parents and others. Lacan lays great emphasis on this [[Symbolic]] aspect of transference, distinguishing it from the [[Imaginary]] dimension of transference (the affects of love and hate) (S8, 204). However, Lacan points out that although the repetition compulsion manifests itself perhaps most clearly in the transfer- ence, it is not in itself limited to the transference; in itself, 'the concept of repetition has nothing to do with the concept of transference' (Sll, 33). Repetition is the general characteristic of the signifying chain, the manifesta- tion manifestation of the unconscious in every subject, and transference is only a very special form of repetition (i.e. it is repetition within psychoanalytic treatment), which cannot simply be equated with the repetition compulsion itself (. <ref>S8, 208).</ref>
