Recently published in The Journal of Psychohistory
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Recently published in The Journal of Psychohistory
"Terrorism and the Psychoanalytic Origins"
What an incredibly unprecedented time in humanity's history we find ourselves in. It’s a complicated time with complex problems. Remember that no matter where you find yourself, hope springs eternal.
I'm pleased to share that my article, "Terrorism and the Psychoanalytic Origins," has been accepted for publication in The Journal of Psychohistory (JOP), a peer reviewed journal. JOP is focused on Psychohistory, the science of historical motivations, combining the insights of psychotherapy with the research methodology of the social sciences to understand the emotional origin of the social and political behavior of groups and nations, past and present.
Using a psychoanalytic lens, this paper explores the cycles of violence and the deeper human aggressive and destructive instincts underlying war-generated terrorism. Recent research has shown that war-generated terrorists do not have major Axis I psychiatric diagnosis as opposed to home-grown shooters who often suffer from psychotic symptoms.
Oppression, shame, and the subsequent desire for violent retribution in war-generated terrorists may have been motivated by a sense of marginalization and isolation. The ability to hate can provide a distorted sense of object constancy to terrorists who have suffered narcissistic injury severe enough to threaten their sense of survival. Deep humiliation and its resulting sense of loneliness and hopelessness may contribute to present-day terrorism, both in individuals, and in groups.
Wars don’t always originate across a sea, creating a false sense of security. Much has landed on our doorsteps; it's the perfect time (and always the ‘right’ time) to reflect on ways humanity has contributed to unconscious prejudices, and how we work to restore the dignity violations of marginalized groups, encourage socioeconomic equality and protect all societies and individuals from the affective threats of oppression, shame and humiliation.
It is my hope you enjoy reading my article and all of the Spring 2020 edition of JOP. Let’s promote understanding and advocacy, change the social field of oppression and build bridges of hope.