Universal repression from consciousness versus abnormal dissociation from self-consciousness
Behavioral and Brain Sciences October 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x06349114 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that dissociation, not repression, better explains Freud's account of uncovered incest on theoretical and empirical grounds. |
Abstract
Freud attributed uncovered incest, initially, to real abuse dissociated from self-consciousness, and later, to wishes repressed from consciousness. Dissociation is preferred on theoretical and empirical grounds. Whereas dissociation emerges from double-aspect materialism, repression implicates Cartesian dualism. Several studies suggest that abnormal individuals dissociate trauma from self-conscious source-monitoring, thereby convincing themselves that the trauma is imaginary rather than real, and re-experience the trauma as an unbidden image.