Evolution of a “Classic” Psychoanalytic Institute: Escape From Rome

The author describes the evolution of theory and practice at the New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. The core concepts at the Institute have included the importance of unconscious fantasy, conflict and compromise theory, transference and countertransference, and defense analysis. In recent years, a variety of contemporary analytic theories have been incorporated into the theory and practice of the Institute. The importance of systematized research to theory development and practice is stressed.

PSYCHOANALYTIC VIEW ON THE UNCONSCIOUS MEANINGS OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

The article analyzes the internal mental dynamics of people involved in the processes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). According to psychoanalytic theory, unconscious fantasies and meanings play an important role in these dynamics. The sources of these fantasies could be traced down to both intrapsychic conflicts and deficits of the individual and pressure of society. When working with patients in a psychodynamic way, it is important to take into account the socio-economic context, which in the modern world is largely set by the global economy of neoliberalism. Ignoring this context, as well as ignoring the significance of important events in the patient’s life history, usually leads to the collusion between the analyst and the patient in a «perverse» pact. Biomedicine of fertility has become a constitutive part of the neoliberal ethos. Within the framework of the global economy, conditions have been created for the commodification and fragmentation of the female and male reproductive bodies. However, despite the inclusion of gametes in the free exchange of goods, they are not stripped from personal meaning or affectively neutral. Tissue exchanges during ART procedures, in addition to the fact that they act as an element of technological chains, carry relational and social meanings. Gamete donation, even with the conscious acceptance of new social structures of reproduction and parenthood in adulthood, can activate the unconscious fantasy of an illegal «triple alliance» and the unconscious conflicts associated with it. Egg donation, in addition to an ethical dilemma, is fraught with confusion of parental identity and a sense of belonging to a social group. Myths rank high in the psychoanalytic theory of development among its other core constructs. They are considered as an important element of learning through experience. The article discusses the plots of myths about childbirth in the context of ART practices.

Cultural, historical and psychoanalytic contributions to female identity in China: a discussion of articles by Tong Jun and Wang Qian

This article offers a discussion of two articles that are both considerations of the intersection of culture and the psyche. The development and conflicts within the Chinese woman's psyche are examined within the context of the history, values, and culture of China. This article considers the place of the powerful maternal imago in understanding the denigration of the feminine position. The presence of unconscious fantasy along with intergenerational trauma is examined, particularly in instances of misogyny. The contributions to the psychoanalytic theory of femininity and female development is reviewed with a discussion of clinical application.

The archetypal origins of the «second reality» (based on the plays «Memento», «Black Panther and White Bear» by V. Vynnychenko)

The article highlights and analyses archetypical images pictured on artists’ canvases in V. Vynnychenko’s plays. This is the new aspect of studying master’s drama, which has determined studio’s relevance and goal: to substantiate artistic nature, specific content and functional of the archetypal origins. The question is all about similar images that have archetype nature and are connected to a symbolical depiction of the matter of life. The human fantasy is one of the main sources of the archetypes, as well as the basis of the artistic process, showing, by the way, prototypes that are located in the collective unconscious. Images, located in collective unconscious, deep in people’s fears and hopes, can show up through art precisely, that is why they’re able to bring a resonance in the receivers’ souls. Archetypes are used to cause any type of effective infusion, therefore the artist – is the one who possesses the high level of perception to archetypical forms and is able to realize them extremely accurately, which approximates artist to prophets and other psychological types according to K. G. Jung. So the notion «archetype» as the studies tool allows us to highlight text nuances, understand the mechanism of the psychological impact of the art matter on the reader. The result of analysis is that the archetype oh the mother, father and child are mythological and irrational symbols. Their variety is changing, but the overall essence is common for them all. They are directly connected to the archetype of «self», that determines realization of the individualization process as the self-assertion in the world. Such decoding allows us to realize the philosophical subtext of the plays and denote the author’s views. The presence of the pictures with the child archetype in both texts – is the product of complicated psychological processes in the V. Vynnychenko’s consciousness. There are personal worries (marriage, son’s death), that undoubtedly, has crucially affected author, continuing and realizing in his art. Actually, it is also about the impact of products of the unconscious fantasy (forgotten or displaced), and collective memory, that is inheriting and realizing in consciousness due to some accidents.