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V Spruiell

Publications and source records attributed to V Spruiell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Deterministic chaos and the sciences of complexity: psychoanalysis in the midst of a general scientific revolution.

A combination of new concepts and the enormous powers of computation now available have created the beginnings of a major new scientific revolution. It does not have to do with psychoanalysis per se, but with some basic assumptions among the sciences generally. The result is already showing in new visions of nature variously called "deterministic chaos," "nonlinear dynamics," or "sciences of complexity." For the first time it is possible to study complex systems in process, over time. This paper, especially attending to issues of separation and integration, focuses on two components of the new understandings, fractal geometry (part of the mathematics of topology) and deterministic chaos (the tendency of nonlinear systems to oscillate toward and away from absolute chaotic disorganization). In a diverse group of intellectual disciplines, it is now possible to describe systems in operation in detail, in terms of nonlinear differential equations. From these, computer models of multiple variables in interaction can be produced. In turn, this allows experimentation on the models by altering variables. At this time, psychoanalysis can only use deterministic chaos and fractals metaphorically, but in the future, especially if psychoanalysis is seen in terms of process or organismic theory, it is likely that such models can be produced.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1993

The word "just": an essay on resistance, words, and multiple meanings.

This is an essay on the word, just, often used by patients as an ordinary trivial word but also as part of resistance functioning to derail further associations. But there are other, more weighty meanings of the word connected with justice and fairness, and thus, ethics and morality. Besides these, there are hidden meanings that certain words can convey consciously and unconsciously. "Just" is part of a "family" of words, some now obsolete, that range from aspects of law to various passionate derivatives of sexuality and aggression. Therefore, the word, just, can serve as an example to which the insights of psychoanalysis can be applied when seeking answers to questions about the origins, hidden meanings, changes, and apparent losses of meaning of other "ordinary" words.

Ethics↗
PubMed1989

On blaming. An entry to the question of values.

In this paper I have considered acts of blaming as an approach to a psychoanalytic contribution to a theory of moral values--a search for a way of thinking about the mental processes mediating values and valuations. Many modern philosophers do not believe their own discipline will be able to develop complete, valid, acceptable, and workable nondeistic ethical understandings alone. Psychoanalysts cannot either, but psychoanalysis can contribute necessary components in its unique understandings of mental operations. The study of blaming as a part of a larger system of values can also be an avenue to the study of intrapsychic-interactional theoretical propositions. The stability or lack of stability of the "worlds" in which we live has influences on all of us, especially those who are most vulnerable to "external" influences. Empirically, in addition to responses to immediate threats from the outside world, an internal world of blaming always remains. The self may be blamed for its failure to live up to its own standards and rules. Often this internal blaming and acceptance of the blame--thus guilt--operate unrealistically. Nevertheless, some such operations continue in even the most mature people, but in mature people it is possible to transform blaming systems into responsibility systems. Along with other transformations that accompany sublimations, the wholeness of personality can be restored in part. One of the faces of a responsibility system is turned toward inner, passionate, often contradictory animal needs which remain in us all. Unless "owned," channeled, restrained, some wishes would be externally disastrous if converted directly into behavior and personally disastrous if totally repressed instead of channeled. Not only this, their disguised expressions can again become externally harmful to oneself and others when projected outward in the form of blame. The other face is turned toward the ways the individuals' motives join (or rejoin) the affairs of the collective "other"--some of which have to do with the most transcendent qualities in man.

Guilt↗
PubMed1988

The indivisibility of Freudian object relations and drive theories.

The term "object relations theory" has little meaning unless placed in a context. Left unmodified, it applies to a variety of contradictory theories, many of which leave out or diminish other metapsychological points of view. This paper utilizes an account of an "ordinary" analysand's life and treatment as a context for the close examination of one session, also "ordinary," and undramatic, in order to demonstrate by example the usefulness of the psychoanalytic theory of drives in indivisible relationship with the psychoanalytic theory of object relations which, in turn, are related to all of the other metapsychological points of view.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Crowd psychology and ideology: a psychoanalytic view of the reciprocal effects of folk philosophies and personal actions.

Folk philosophies are constituted by shared, mostly unconscious systems of rules--in the formal sense of rule theory. In the West, there has been a breakdown in the folk philosophies which define reality for most people. Disruption creates disorganization and regression of fragmented groups to more primitive forms, ruled by magic and authoritarian leaders. Psychoanalysis is a sub-group which can serve as an exemplar for both small and large groups. Freedom from the magical and value-ridden 'realities' of the past poses the danger of licence but the opportunity that more rational systems may emerge. If managed successfully, such systems may help replace an older and no longer viable folk philosophy with forms which are more rational and humane. The essay also considers the new technical means to store and make data accessible. The danger is accumulation of mountains of undigested data, unevaluated and out of context--often misunderstood as 'information'. But the opportunities lie in the possibilities to develop new epistemologies.

Authoritarianism↗
PubMed1984

The analyst at work.

This paper is built about a core, consisting of a detailed description of one session in the middle of a long analysis. The analytic encounter is placed in widening contexts. At each level, the context is at once biographical (in terms of the patient) and autobiographical (in terms of the analyst's professional identity). The difficulties in the presentation of analytic evidence are acknowledged and explored. The aim is to come as close as possible, from the author's point of view, to scientific and historical truths. Put another way, the aim is to represent, to whatever extent is possible, a particular analyst at work with a particular patient at a particular time--from the 'inside', so to speak.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Kuhn's "paradigm" and psychoanalysis.

This paper traces the development of T. S. Kuhn's use of the technical term, "paradigm." It questions its loose usage by psychoanalysts. However, Kuhn's developed and more explicitly defined sense of paradigm can be used by psychoanalysis to gain a perspective from which to examine its own disciplinary structure and function.

Psychoanalysis↗
PubMed1983

The rules and frames of the psychoanalytic situation.

Classical psychoanalytic theory and technique are still coherent, flexible, viable, and developing. But there is a need to develop an interactional theory which would be compatible with intrapsychic theory. One approach, utilizing a relativistic view of social realities, is "frame analysis," the study of the rules (which operate primarily outside of awareness) delimiting and governing specific social interactions. Applied to the analytic situation, it is a useful way to analyze the transactions. A clinical vignette is presented for purposes of illustration.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

The self and the ego.

Freud intentionally used Das Ich to refer to both the "self" and an abstract metapsychological system. In English, the separation of the terms "self" and "ego" has led to major problems. The word self, taken in its everyday sense, is necessarily ubiquitous in psychoanalysis. But its reflexive nature makes it impossible to define except as a series of fantasies. Self has no other place as a theoretical word. What the analysand calls his self the analyst calls ego, which is definable, either in the sense of what can be known about the analysand's experience, or as a nonexperiential abstraction.

Ego↗
PubMed1975

Narcissistic transformations in adolescence.

This paper traces the transformation of narcissism, paralleling the transformations of object love, occurring between early and late adolescence. Narcissism is examined in terms of three lines of development: erotic self-love, omnipotence, and the regulations of self-esteem. The transition occurs relatively rapidly in most normal and psychoneurotic individuals and involves a massive reorganization of the psyche. The acquisition of a body image of an adult sort probably acts an organizer. A normal consequence is the first romantic love relationship. An understanding of these issues is of importance in psychoanalytic psychotherapy of both adolescents and adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Three strands of narcissism.

The development of narcissism is usually studied from the standpoint of the drives, or more specifically of the libido. This paper considers narcissism from the standpoint of the ego and seeks to delineate separate developmental lines. From this point of view, a variety of forms may be distinguished which are ordinarily structured during the oedipal period. It is postulated that narcissism cannot be considered as truly separable from the vicissitudes of the love and hate of objects. This formulation makes possible consideration of recent observations concerning the 'narcissistic personality' without requiring major new economic, structural, or dynamic metapsychological constructs.

Child Development↗