Difference between revisions of "Fragmented body"
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| + | {{Top}}[[corps]] morcelé{{Bottom}} | ||
| − | + | ==Jacques Lacan== | |
| − | The notion of the fragmented body is one of the earliest original concepts to appear in Lacan's work, and is closely linked to the concept of the | + | The [[notion]] of the [[fragmented body]] is one of the earliest original [[concepts]] to appear in [[Lacan]]'s [[Works of Jacques Lacan|work]], and is closely linked to the [[concept]] of the [[mirror stage]]. |
| − | In a more general sense, the fragmented body refers not only to | + | |
| − | Lacan also uses the | + | ==Mirror Stage== |
| + | In the [[mirror stage]] the [[infant]] sees its [[reflection]] in the [[mirror]] as a [[whole]]/[[synthesis]], and this [[perception]] causes, by contrast, the [[perception]] of its own [[body]] (which [[lack]]s [[motor coordination]] at this [[stage]]) as [[division|divided]] and [[fragmentation|fragmented]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Ego Formation== | ||
| + | The [[anxiety]] provoked by this [[feeling]] of [[fragmentation]] fuels the [[identification]] with the [[specular image]] by which the [[ego]] is [[formation|formed]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Fragmentation== | ||
| + | However, the [[anticipation]] of a synthetic [[ego]] is henceforth constantly threatened by the [[memory]] of this [[sense]] of [[fragmentation]], which manifests itself in "[[images]] of castration, emasculation, mutilation, dismemberment, dislocation, evisceration, devouring, bursting open of the body" which haunt the [[human]] [[imagination]].<ref>{{E}} p. 11</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Transference== | ||
| + | These [[image]]s typically appear in the [[analysand]]'s [[dream]]s and [[free association|association]]s at a [[particular]] [[phase]] in the [[treatment]] - namely, the [[moment]] when the [[analysand]]'s [[aggressivity]] emerges in the [[negative]] [[transference]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This moment is an important early [[sign]] that the [[treatment]] is progressing in the [[right]] direction, i.e. towards the disintegration of the rigid [[unity]] of the [[ego]].<ref>{{L}} "[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Some Reflections on the Ego]]", ''Int. J. [[Psycho]]-[[Anal]].'', vol. 34, 1953 [1951b]: 13</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Illusion of Synthesis== | ||
| + | In a more general sense, the [[fragmented body]] refers not only to [[image]]s of the [[physical]] [[body]] but also to any sense of [[fragmentation]] and disunity: | ||
| + | |||
| + | <blockquote>"He [the [[subject]]] is originally an inchoate collection of desires - there you have the [[true]] sense of the expression fragmented body."<ref>{{S3}} p.39</ref></blockquote> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Any such sense of dis[[unity]] threatens the [[illusion]] of [[synthesis]] which constitutes the [[ego]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Hysteria== | ||
| + | [[Lacan]] also uses the term [[fragmented body]] to explain certain typical [[symptom]]s of [[hysteria]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | When a [[hysteria|hysterical]] [[paralysis]] affects a limb, it does not respect the [[physiological]] [[structure]] of the nervous [[system]], but instead reflects the way the [[body]] is [[divided]] up by an "imaginary anatomy". | ||
| + | |||
| + | In this way, the [[fragmented body]] is "revealed at the [[organic]] level, in the lines of fragilization that define the anatomy of [[phantasy]], as exhibited in the schizoid and spasmodic [[symptoms]] of hysteria."<ref>{{E}} p. 5</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See Also== | ||
| + | {{See}} | ||
| + | * [[Aggressivity]] | ||
| + | * [[Anxiety]] | ||
| + | * [[Castration]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Ego]] | ||
| + | * [[Gestalt]] | ||
| + | * [[Hysteria]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Imaginary]] | ||
| + | * [[Imago]] | ||
| + | * [[Lack]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Mirror stage]] | ||
| + | * [[Specular image]] | ||
| + | * [[Transference]] | ||
| + | {{Also}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small"> | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Imaginary]] | ||
| + | [[Category:OK]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Jacques Lacan]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Dictionary]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Concepts]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
| + | {{OK}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | __NOTOC__ | ||
Latest revision as of 07:50, 24 May 2019
| French: [[corps morcelé]] |
Jacques Lacan
The notion of the fragmented body is one of the earliest original concepts to appear in Lacan's work, and is closely linked to the concept of the mirror stage.
Mirror Stage
In the mirror stage the infant sees its reflection in the mirror as a whole/synthesis, and this perception causes, by contrast, the perception of its own body (which lacks motor coordination at this stage) as divided and fragmented.
Ego Formation
The anxiety provoked by this feeling of fragmentation fuels the identification with the specular image by which the ego is formed.
Fragmentation
However, the anticipation of a synthetic ego is henceforth constantly threatened by the memory of this sense of fragmentation, which manifests itself in "images of castration, emasculation, mutilation, dismemberment, dislocation, evisceration, devouring, bursting open of the body" which haunt the human imagination.[1]
Transference
These images typically appear in the analysand's dreams and associations at a particular phase in the treatment - namely, the moment when the analysand's aggressivity emerges in the negative transference.
This moment is an important early sign that the treatment is progressing in the right direction, i.e. towards the disintegration of the rigid unity of the ego.[2]
Illusion of Synthesis
In a more general sense, the fragmented body refers not only to images of the physical body but also to any sense of fragmentation and disunity:
"He [the subject] is originally an inchoate collection of desires - there you have the true sense of the expression fragmented body."[3]
Any such sense of disunity threatens the illusion of synthesis which constitutes the ego.
Hysteria
Lacan also uses the term fragmented body to explain certain typical symptoms of hysteria.
When a hysterical paralysis affects a limb, it does not respect the physiological structure of the nervous system, but instead reflects the way the body is divided up by an "imaginary anatomy".
In this way, the fragmented body is "revealed at the organic level, in the lines of fragilization that define the anatomy of phantasy, as exhibited in the schizoid and spasmodic symptoms of hysteria."[4]
See Also
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 11
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. "Some Reflections on the Ego", Int. J. Psycho-Anal., vol. 34, 1953 [1951b]: 13
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p.39
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 5
