The Social UnconsciousThe Social Unconscious

Haim Weinberg, PhDHaim Weinberg, PhD

Group Analytic SymposiumGroup Analytic SymposiumDublin, IrelandDublin, IrelandAugust 2008August 2008

Binocular VisionBinocular Vision

1. The Social Unconscious is the 1. The Social Unconscious is the Unconscious of the Social systemUnconscious of the Social system

CriticismCriticism: Society is not an organism and : Society is not an organism and has no Brainhas no Brain

2. The Social Unconscious is part of the 2. The Social Unconscious is part of the individual unconsciousindividual unconscious

CriticismCriticism: No such a thing as the SU: Each : No such a thing as the SU: Each individual's unconscious is social individual's unconscious is social

DefinitionsDefinitions

FoulkesFoulkes"… the group-analytic situation, while "… the group-analytic situation, while

dealing with the unconscious in the dealing with the unconscious in the Freudian sense, brings into operation Freudian sense, brings into operation and perspective a totally different area and perspective a totally different area of which the individual is equally of which the individual is equally unaware. …One might speak of a unaware. …One might speak of a social or interpersonal unconscious" social or interpersonal unconscious" (1964)(1964)

Analysis of Foulkes’ Analysis of Foulkes’ definitiondefinition

Unclear and non-operational Unclear and non-operational definition, actually only points out to definition, actually only points out to its existenceits existence

Definitions (cont.)Definitions (cont.)

Earl HopperEarl Hopper

"The concept of the social unconscious refers "The concept of the social unconscious refers to the existence and constraints of social, to the existence and constraints of social, cultural and communicational cultural and communicational arrangements of which people are unaware. arrangements of which people are unaware. Unaware, in so far as these arrangements Unaware, in so far as these arrangements are not perceived (not ‘known’), and if are not perceived (not ‘known’), and if perceived not acknowledged (‘denied’), and perceived not acknowledged (‘denied’), and if acknowledged, not taken as problematic if acknowledged, not taken as problematic (‘given’), and if taken as problematic, not (‘given’), and if taken as problematic, not considered with an optimal degree of considered with an optimal degree of detachment and objectivity" (2001)detachment and objectivity" (2001)

Analysis of Hopper’s Analysis of Hopper’s definitiondefinition

Unconscious or unawareness?Unconscious or unawareness? The social unconscious resides inside The social unconscious resides inside

the individualthe individual Unclear what are the “arrangements”Unclear what are the “arrangements”

Definitions (cont.)Definitions (cont.)

Farhad DalalFarhad Dalal

It is It is not the social in the unconsciousnot the social in the unconscious"the social unconscious is a "the social unconscious is a

representation of the representation of the institutionalization of social power institutionalization of social power relations in the structure of the relations in the structure of the psyche itself. In this sense it is a psyche itself. In this sense it is a bridge between the social and the bridge between the social and the psychological" (1998)psychological" (1998)

Analysis of Dalal’s Analysis of Dalal’s definitiondefinition

Connects the social with the individualConnects the social with the individual Adds an important component: social Adds an important component: social

power relationspower relations Too restricted: only social power? Too restricted: only social power?

Definitions (cont.)Definitions (cont.)

Haim WeinbergHaim WeinbergThe social unconscious is the co-The social unconscious is the co-

constructconstructeded shared unconscious of shared unconscious of members of a certain social system members of a certain social system such as community, society, nation or such as community, society, nation or culture. It includes shared anxieties, culture. It includes shared anxieties, fantasies, defences, myths, and fantasies, defences, myths, and memories. Its building bricks are memories. Its building bricks are made of made of chosen traumas and chosen chosen traumas and chosen glories (2005)glories (2005)

Analysis of Weinberg’s Analysis of Weinberg’s definitiondefinition

Integrates the social with the individualIntegrates the social with the individual Builds on a relational approachBuilds on a relational approach Clarifies what are the components of the Clarifies what are the components of the

social unconscious, thus enabling social unconscious, thus enabling analyzing the SU of a specific societyanalyzing the SU of a specific society

The Social Unconscious - The Social Unconscious - MisperceptionsMisperceptions

It is not the superegoIt is not the superego It is not just the social in the It is not just the social in the

unconsciousunconscious It is not the collective unconscious It is not the collective unconscious

(SU is specific to a certain society, (SU is specific to a certain society, CU is beyond)CU is beyond)

It is not just hidden cultural normsIt is not just hidden cultural norms

4 Ways in which the 4 Ways in which the Social Social Unconscious Unconscious is Manifested is Manifested

according to Brownaccording to Brown

1.1. AssumptionsAssumptions

What is taken for granted and is What is taken for granted and is natural in societynatural in society

ExampleExample: The importance of rules : The importance of rules in the American Societyin the American Society

In IsraelIn Israel: The promised land: The promised land

2. 2. DisavowalsDisavowals

Disowning knowledge or responsibility Disowning knowledge or responsibility for things that are unwelcomefor things that are unwelcome

Example: Turkey disavows the Example: Turkey disavows the Armenian GenocideArmenian Genocide

In Israel: Jew=victim. It’s impossible In Israel: Jew=victim. It’s impossible that Jews will become victimizersthat Jews will become victimizers

3. 3. Social defensesSocial defenses

What is defended against by projection, What is defended against by projection, denial, repression or avoidance denial, repression or avoidance

ExampleExample: Anti-Semitism – Jews (or Israel) : Anti-Semitism – Jews (or Israel) are responsible for the world’s troubleare responsible for the world’s trouble

In IsraelIn Israel: Avoiding processing the : Avoiding processing the memories of Holocaust in the 1950ies.memories of Holocaust in the 1950ies.

4. 4. Structural oppressionStructural oppression

Control of power and information by Control of power and information by competing interests in society and the competing interests in society and the international communityinternational community

ExampleExample: Gender discrimination : Gender discrimination maintains social power for menmaintains social power for men

In IsraelIn Israel: Budget distributed unevenly : Budget distributed unevenly between Jews and Arabsbetween Jews and Arabs

chosen traumachosen trauma

Shared mental representation of a massive Shared mental representation of a massive trauma that the group's ancestors sufferedtrauma that the group's ancestors suffered

When society regresses, its chosen trauma is When society regresses, its chosen trauma is reactivated in order to support the group's reactivated in order to support the group's threatened identitythreatened identity

Chosen traumas reside in the Social Chosen traumas reside in the Social Unconscious, maybe even constructing it just Unconscious, maybe even constructing it just as archetypes construct the collective as archetypes construct the collective unconsciousunconscious

In IsraelIn Israel: Holocaust as the chosen trauma: Holocaust as the chosen trauma