Specters of social antagonism: the cultural psychodynamics of dream aggression among the Tzotzil Maya of San Juan Chamula (Chiapas, Mexico)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    11 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In this article, I present an analysis of “persecution dreams” among the Tzotzil Maya of San Juan Chamula, discussing the complex connections among sickness, interpersonal aggression, ideologies of social antagonism, and the spectral phantasies that shadow these social phenomena. Building on this ethnographic foundation, I present a “cultural psychodynamic” account framed in terms of projective-introjective dynamics (functioning at both the individual and social levels), arguing that the aggression dream serves as an experience structure in which inner and outer realities become deeply interwoven—often resulting in an increased sense of insecurity and existential threat. At its broadest level, this article is concerned with the affective dimensions of dream life, the processing of real affects and social relations within the register of phantasy, and the transposition of these phantasy-laden feelings back into waking life, where they influence not only the individual's sense of well-being, but the tenor of actual interpersonal relations.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)314-341
    Number of pages28
    JournalEthos
    Volume45
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 7 Sept 2017

    Keywords

    • cultural psychodynamics
    • projection
    • phantasy
    • dreams
    • aggression
    • Maya
    • psychoanalysis

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Specters of social antagonism: the cultural psychodynamics of dream aggression among the Tzotzil Maya of San Juan Chamula (Chiapas, Mexico)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
    • Boyer Prize Winner - Kevin Groark

      Groark, K., 2019, Society for Psychological Anthropology Newsletter, Summer 2019, p. 7-8 2 p.

      Research output: Contribution to Newspaper/Magazine/WebsiteBook/Film/Article review

    Cite this