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.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 314-341 |
| Number of pages | 28 |
| Journal | Ethos |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Sep 2017 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- cultural psychodynamics
- projection
- phantasy
- dreams
- aggression
- Maya
- psychoanalysis
Cite this
}
Specters of social antagonism : the cultural psychodynamics of dream aggression among the Tzotzil Maya of San Juan Chamula (Chiapas, Mexico). / Groark, Kevin P.
In: Ethos, Vol. 45, No. 3, 07.09.2017, p. 314-341.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Specters of social antagonism
T2 - Ethos
AU - Groark, Kevin P.
PY - 2017/9/7
Y1 - 2017/9/7
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - cultural psychodynamics
KW - projection
KW - phantasy
KW - dreams
KW - aggression
KW - Maya
KW - psychoanalysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029089406&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/etho.12174
DO - 10.1111/etho.12174
M3 - Article
VL - 45
SP - 314
EP - 341
JO - Ethos
JF - Ethos
SN - 0091-2131
IS - 3
ER -