In his psychoanalytic excerpt, “The Oedipus Complex”, Sigmund Freud ruminates on how children develop bonds with their parents. According to Freud, children develop intimate bonds with parents by adopting the roles and values of the parent whose sex they share. Conversely, the parent of the opposite sex becomes a cherished object of affection. The Oedipus Complex implies that a boy adopts his father’s identity (and roles) in the hope of gaining the affection of his mother. Inevitably, the boy’s attempts to become his father and live out the role of husband/wife between himself and his mother is bound to fail. According to Freud, these futile and misunderstood efforts cause a child to be “in love with the one parent and hat[e] the other” (NA, 919). In other words, the boy envies both his father for the love of his mother and for is own inaccessibility to that love. Freud goes on to list two literary masterpieces whose protagonists exhibit this complex: Hamlet and Oedipus Rex. By superimposing his own psychoanalysis on literary masterpieces, Freud aims to validate his own concepts. Perhaps then it is only fitting that, since the apex of Freudian psychoanalysis, literary writers have been adopting, reassessing, and ultimately modifying Freudian concepts. In Toni Morrison’s novel, Jazz, Joe Trace exhibits typically Oedipal characteristics, but for all the Oedipal tendencies Trace seems to possess, he also has psychological features that seem to go against “The Oedipus Complex”. While much of Trace’s psychology supports “The Oedipus complex”, those opposing characteristics, apparently engendered by the circumstances of his childhood, function as plausible possibilities indicating the limits of Freudian psychoanalysis, ... ... middle of paper ... ...described in “The Oedipus Complex”. Just as Freud used literature as a foundation, or backbone, to support his psychoanalytical theories, literary writers have used Freudian psychoanalysis to build upon literature. As a result, novelists, like Toni Morrison, have often adopted and modified Freudian psychoanalysis. Specifically, Joe Trace reveals the possibilities of psychological variation and promotes a case specific reality in which psychological universals, while being relevant, prove to be narrow and limited in assessing the psychological interiors of fictional characters. English 300 5 Works Cited Freud, Sigmond. "The Oedipus Complex." The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. New York: W. W. Norton Company, 2001. 919-923. Morrison, Toni. Jazz. New York: First Vintage International Edition, 2004.
The Oedipus complex came to my knowledge in my first semester of college, during my English class as we study Greek mythology. The first time I read the story I took it as it was; a story. But later on, on my first psychology class I finally understood the complexity of it and how it was used. Even now after a few more classes on psychology I still have some disagreements and have a hard time accepting it. It is because of my background that I’m facing challenges with t...
This paper looks at a person that exhibits the symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). In the paper, examples are given of symptoms that the person exhibits. These symptoms are then evaluated using the DSM-V criteria for BPD. The six-different psychological theoretical models are discussed, and it is shown how these models have been used to explain the symptoms of BPD. Assessment of
In the past, BPD was believed to be a set of symptoms between problems associated with mood and schizophrenia. These symptoms were believed to be comprised of distortions of reality and mood problems. A closer look at this disorder has resulted in the realization that even though the symptoms of this disorder reveal emotional complexity, this disorder is more closer to other personality disorders, on the basis of the manner in which it develops and occurs in families, than to schizophrenia (Hoffman, Fruzzetti, Buteau &ump; Neiditch, 2005). The use of the term borderline has however, resulted in a heated controversy between the health care fraternity and patients. Patients argue that this term appears to be somehow discriminatory and that it should be removed and the disorder renamed. Patients point out that an alternative name, such as emotionally unstable personality disorder, should be adopted instead of borderline personality disorder. Clinicians, on the other hand, argue that there is nothing wrong with the use of the term borderline. Opponents of this term argue that the terms used to describe persons suffering from this disorder, such as demanding, treatment resistant, and difficult among others, are discriminatory. These terms may create a negative feeling of health professionals towards patients, an aspect that may lead to adoption of negative responses that may trigger self-destructive behavior (Giesen-Bloo et al, 2006). The fact however, is that the term borderline has been misunderstood and misused so much that any attempt to redefine it is pointless leaving scrapping the term as the only option.
- Sexual abuse, which is common in childhood histories of borderline patients, happens more often to women than men.
The etiology of Borderline Personality Disorder is still being heavily researched today but there are common causes that most scientists agree on. Environmental and genetic factors are thought to be involved in the development of BPD’s symptoms (as cited on National Institute of Mental Health website). Studies that have been conducted on twins show that the disorder can be inherited . Similar studies show that temperament and particular personality traits like impulsiveness and aggression can be inherited as well. This is important because these traits are prominent in patients with BPD. Currently, genes that regulate emotions and impulse control are being stu...
These experiences often result in impulsive actions and unstable relationships. A person with BPD may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last from only a few hours to days”. (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml) I read that studies show that people with Borderline Personality Disorder have “structural and functional changes in the brain, especially in the areas that control impulses and emotional regulation”. (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml) People who suffer from BPD tend to have unstable moods which could last from anywhere from a few hours to even days. People with BPD also go through periods where they try to avoid real or imagined abandonment. People with this disorder are often impulsive and exhibit dangerous behaviors. These behaviors consist of going on shopping sprees having unsafe sex with people the use of various drugs and even as dangerous as reckless driving. People with BPD also have dangerous suicidal behaviors, and may also exhibit self-harming
What causes BPD is still uncertain but medical professionals such as psychiatrist, psychologist and clinical workers think that it has something to do with genetics, environmental factors and brain functions. Many years ago, people speculated borderline personality disorder resulted from bad parenting. It is now said that Borderline personality disorder can be inherited from a family member who may have had an encounter with the disorder. A family member doesn’t have to have BPD but a related disorder such as bipolar disorder or depression. 60% of people get BPD from their genetics. People who have BPD have different results when taking the MRI. These results oft...
Freud, S. (1957b). Some character types met with in psychoanalytic work. In J. Strachey (Ed. & Trans.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14, pp. 309–333). London: Hogarth Press. (Original work published 1916)
BPD is a devastating mental illness that is challenging to treat. Although BPD may be a difficult disorder to overcome, both Internet sites give hope to BPD victims and their families by outlining treatments that are effective. Research and experimental studies shine a more positive light to the future of treating BPD victims. The Internet sites illustrates that BPD is possible to overcome with the assistance of educated psychologist, psychiatrists, social workers, and physicians who are able to establish authentic professional relationships with victims of BPD.
According to psychologist Sigmund Freud, who is known for his theory of psychoanalysis, the human mind contains “a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories” (Meyers 597). These unconscious desires then resurface and develop into the impulses for one’s actions and thoughts. Moreover, one of the most prominent and often times controversial ideas of this theory is the Oedipus complex. In Meyer’s textbook of psychology, the Oedipus complex is described as affecting young males by causing the development of sexual desires for their mothers and also jealousy towards their fathers
It is very important that you know and understand the symptoms of BPD, because people with
Personality disorders are more defined and recognized in societies today. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is used to provide common language and standards to classify mental disorders. Borderline personality disorder currently effect 2% of the population, this is a mental disorder is not as known as the other disorders (i.e. Bipolar, Schizophrenia, depression)) that we hear about most common. “DSM describes Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and effects”.(www.nami.org). Having BPD can cause an individual
Wilson, Sarah. "Sigmund Freud and the oedipal complex." The Observer”. Guardian News and Media, 8 Mar. 2009. Web. 1 May 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/mar/08/sigmund-freud-oedipal-complex>.
BPD is a complex disorder in a sense that the symptoms such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse may cause a misdiagnosis thus overlooking BPD completely (Biskin & Paris, 2013). This personality disorder has also been known to occur simultaneously with anxiety disorders, eating disorders and bipolar mood disorders (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2014). In addition, the prevalence of BPD decreases in older individuals (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Psychoanalytic Theory itself has, what seems to be, two contradictory halves: Freudian psychoanalysis and Lacanian psychoanalysis. The first half focuses solely on the author and the unconscious mind; the second considers the unconscious, but prefers to concentrate on outside influences by deconstructing the text itself. According to Freud, interpretation is achieved by examining conflicts and symbols, such as Freudian slips and dream images. These outlets are help to determine whether an individual’s external behavior coincides (or conflicts) with their internal emotion. Freud placed emphasis on sexuality and the Oedipus complex, which is the idea of repressed sexual feelings toward a parent of opposite sex. He also defined three levels of the subconscious mind: the ego, the super-ego, and the id. Barry explains that the stages align with “the consciousness, the conscience, and the unconscious” respectively (93). On the other hand, Lacan, a follower of Freud, concentrated on the relationship between an author and his or her work. He claimed the two were inexorably connected, that objectivity is nonexistent. In an essence: an author’s personality is used to interpret the text and, in contrast, the text is used to gain insight about the author. Regardless of the emphasis, psychoanalytic criticism engages an