Through a glass darkly: psychoanalysis and incest

dc.contributor.authorHayward, Judith P.
dc.date.accessioned2025-07-29T23:40:48Z
dc.date.available2025-07-29T23:40:48Z
dc.date.issued1987
dc.description.abstractThis paper traces the history of Freudian thought as it evolved from Freud's early "seduction theory" through to his discoveries of psychical reality, the unconscious, and psychoanalysis. It compares the theoretical concepts of psychoanalysis as they pertain to incest with current practice in treating incest therapeutically, including the present legal requirements. The theoretical presentation is integrated with both current literature on the subject of incest and interviews with practicing analysts and therapists. A number of discrepancies between Freudian theory on incest and popular understanding of that theory are pointed out, including the notion that Freud "abandoned" his theory of seduction because he did not believe his patients' stories of childhood seductions. In this context, the development of Freud's understanding of the interplay between psychical and material reality and their place in therapy is explored. It is argued that contemporary understanding and treatment of incest has much to learn from psychoanalysis and the philosophical implications of its theory.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/4388
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.institutionJohn F. Kennedy University (JFKU)
dc.titleThrough a glass darkly: psychoanalysis and incest
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychology
thesis.degree.grantorJohn F. Kennedy University (JFKU)
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts in Psychology
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