Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Psyche'

Eros and Psyche is a novel that explores the original Greek myth but attempts to flesh out and modernize the myth as well. The story follows the separate histories of Eros, the son of Aphrodite and god of love, and Psyche, the mortal beauty destined to marry a monster. Their lives remain apart until Eros, in disgrace and in disguise, saves the life of the child Psyche, throwing the universe out of balance. As Psyche grows up, she flees her curse of marrying a monster to live with the Amazons and have her own independence. But destiny has forced Eros and Psyche together, and only together can they bring back balance to the universe and save each other.

The topic of this thesis is guilt. The thesis begins by considering the broad context of guilt as conceptualised across the humanities and social sciences. It then focuses on the extensive work done on guilt in psychoanalysis. The main contributions to the debates on guilt in psychoanalysis are investigated in detail to isolate the key issues in trying to understand guilt. The key question approached concerns the origin of guilt and its functioning in psychical life. The thesis shows how previous theorists have struggled to identify a plausible explanation for the presence of guilt in mental functioning and in particular for the suffering generated by pathogenic guilt. It argues that there are impasses in the work of Freud, Klein and others that prevent their being able to fully account for guilt. It employs insights and argument from the work of Jacques Lacan to proceed beyond those impasses. While the emphasis in the work of previous theorists was on trying to identify what subjects were really guilty of, beyond their superficial self-reproaches, this thesis argues that the avowal of guilt by subjects functions as a device to keep anxiety at a distance and, functioning as such, it is inherently deceptive. The thesis shows that Lacan revisits problems raised in his Ethics seminar from 1959-60 in 1972-3 in his Seminar XX 'Encore'. The theoretical developments in the later seminar show that the inscription of subjects in a sexed order is regulated by their relation to the signifier and produces differentials in relation to the law and Other jouissance. While most guilt theories argue that guilt is a 'fault' in the human being, Lacan's theoretical work allows us to argue that guilt is a 'fault' that is constructed in the moment of the construction of human subjectivity.

This thesis examines the topic of the psychological function of loneliness. An alchemical hermeneutic research methodology is utilized to compare established theories on the topic to the researcher’s experience. From a contemporary cognitive behavioral perspective, the distress of loneliness has no psychological function. Insecure attachment patterns, schizoid personality structures, introverted personality typologies, subjectivity, and projection appear to influence susceptibility to intense or prolonged loneliness. Analytical psychology describes isolation as a necessary condition of the individuation process, and archetypal psychology identifies loneliness as an immanent psychological phenomenon. This thesis explores the depth psychological observation that the modern, rational psyche’s alienation from its irrational, autonomous animating images contributes to experiences of loneliness. Loneliness as a functional symptom of the ego’s unconscious need to form symbolic relationships to collective and archetypal psychological dynamics is considered. The standard clinical treatment for loneliness of socialization is critically examined.

The thesis explores the visual narrative concerning a journey of empowerment for women. To enable the journey to advance the inquiry is directed into two areas. The first area is female gender, which is argued to be socially constructed and implicit in the marginalisation of women in western society. The second area is ‘feminine authority’, which is gained by developing an understanding and acceptance of the characteristics which have historically been considered as belonging to the feminine. Granting these characteristics agency would recognise their authority and assist in the elevation of the female to a position of equality in western society. Beginning from a feminist position, the research supported the belief that the female is marginalised in western society. It also confirmed the notion that empowerment and authority can be attained by women if they actively pursue the following; • Explore their own psychology beyond the existing socially constructed gender roles. • Develop an understanding of their feminine self by applying Jung's theories on individuation and archetypes. • Expose the underlying patriarchal influence in western epistemology and science by challenging existing deeply held cultural and scientific beliefs and by actively contributing as feminists to the areas of epistemology and science. Archetypal myths of the ‘feminine’ have developed from an androcentric position. They enforce and perpetuate gender imbalance which contributes to the disenfranchisement of women in western society, ‘Individuation’ is a process in which a person explores aspects of themselves to bring forth parts of their unconscious into their conscious mind in an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. As a consequence the consciousness develops closer links with archetypal memories which assists the exploration. The ‘true feminine’ is the feminine not restricted or defined by the dominant androcentric view. Knowledge of the feminine empowers women to address the marginalisation of the female in western society and assists in the process of gaining female authority. This enquiry also investigated the four stages of female psychological development with regard to patriarchal influences. Of particular importance is the second stage of psychological development where the female identifies with historically perceived inferior characteristics of the female. This is when she rejects her connections with the primacy of female power and her deep connections with nature which were inherited from archaic times. It is at this stage that she absorbs the myths associated with western patriarchal society which effectively disempower her. Western epistemology, with its emphasis on ‘objective’ investigation and empiricism contributes to the support for and promotion of ‘inferior’ female gender. This type of investigation is brought into question when areas of research into primates and human evolutionary theory is shown to develop from an androcentric view. Western knowledge has associations with power and justice and power is commonly associated with dominance. Regard for ‘truth’ and ‘absolute’ can be viewed as key elements in the support for knowledge and its associations with power. Knowledge has historically maintained suppression of individual experience which promotes a universalised account. This suppression of beliefs other than the dominant authority maintains the existing dominant social structure. Foucault's view of the genderised or inscribed body alerts us to areas where dominance, resistance and power play a part in maximising masculine power and control. Gender becomes an instrument of power within the existing patriarchal structure. Gender, knowledge and power are identified as areas obstructing female empowerment. Part 3 of this exegesis examines the imagery which embodies the visual narrative. Particularly, the harlequin image, its historical background and connections with ancient mythology including reference to Jungian psychology. The harlequin image is developed sequentially in the earlier black and white drawings on paper. These drawings contained a female figure which was often placed in juxtaposition with a Venus or goddess image, reference was also made to ‘eve’ and the ‘siren’. These elements provided the framework which enabled the harlequin image to emerge and evolve. The narrative developed with an understanding of the ‘feminine’ aspects of the psyche which resulted in the harlequin acquiring the elevated authority of a goddess. The Harlequin evolved from my need for symbolic representation of the female psyche. It represents contradiction and dualism. It is a composition of opposites, reflects masculine and feminine traits, the dark and light of the conscious and unconscious mind, it houses both comic and sinister elements, is a trickster and menace. The costume, colours and patterns are expressive elements conducive to fragmentation and layering within the composition of the paintings. Jung examined the harlequin in Picasso's paintings. He concluded that as Picasso drew on his inner experiences the harlequin became important as a symbol; it was a pictorial representation from the unconscious psyche. It travelled freely from the conscious to the unconscious and represented the masculine and feminine, chthonian and apollonian. The final painting in the series, a triptych, completes the narrative and stands alone as a salutatory work. It unites the series by combining existing compositional devices and technique while making reference to imagery from previous works, ‘The Three Graces Victorious’, expresses the authority of the feminine. It completes a victorious stage of a journey where the harlequin is empowered by archaic memories and knowledge of the psyche. The feminine is hailed, elevated and venerated. Other elements which assist in expressing the visual narrative are; colour, technique and influence. Colour is explored and its use as an emotive devise in expressionism. Paul Klee's writing on the use of colour and it's symbolic meaning and Julia Kristeva's investigation on colour from a psychoanalytic and semiotic view are also discussed. To indicate influences and connections within my oeuvre, reference is also made to the following: Jasper Johns' for his use of imagery in his ‘Four Seasons’ series with it's reference to a journey of maturation and Louise Bourgeois' work which deals with issues of gender, memories and past journeys. Although ‘The Three Graces Victorious’; the concluding painting for the investigation is celebratory and represents a finality to the thesis, it points to further areas that impede feminine development and need future examination. Reference is made to a continuation of the exploratory journey by plotting the Harlequin/Goddesses future directions. Although the Harlequin/Goddess is empowered with newly acquired authority, her future journey does not need to be bound by mathematics or limited by rationality. She does not require power to dominate or gender structures to subjugate, but requires limitless boundaries and contexts. The Harlequin/Goddess's future journey is not fixed.

Finding efficacious treatments for severe trauma and PTSD is an important endeavor in the field of clinical psychology. The present qualitative phenomenological study examines the experiences of clinicians (participants) and their patients, specifically veterans and soldiers suffering from severe trauma or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. Giorgi and Moustakas’s phenomenological methods were employed in the research process. This study illustrates the effects of the integration of somatic therapies and psychodynamic therapy for treatment of severe trauma and PTSD symptoms. The relevant themes which emerged from the study include: (a) the clinical orientation of each therapist, (b) integration of somatic and psychodynamic therapies, (c) psychological and physiological symptoms, (d) resolution or reduction of PTSD symptoms, (e) benefits or risks of integration, (f) psycho-education, (g) affect regulation and the tracking and integration of bodily sensations, (h) other modalities utilized in the session, (i) relational patterns, (j) consideration for best evidence practice. The implications discovered from this study contribute to the field of psychology, by offering relevant efficacious treatments for trauma and/or PTSD. The value of integrative psychological, physiological, and somatic approaches, which are demonstrated in this study, support resolution or reduction of somatic symptoms, including affect regulation for patients experiencing trauma and or PTSD. Keywords: somatic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, PTSD, trauma, sensorimotor psychotherapy, somatic experiencing

Les phénomènes de groupe ont été utilisés depuis l'antiquité dans différents domaines comme la thérapie, le social, l'économie et la politique. Selon Bion, les interactions entre les membres d'un groupe génèrent un « inconscient groupal » et son comportement est gouverné et orienté pas les « Hypothèse de base » de Bion. Ce travail a été mené pendant une formation d'analyse de groupe à la Fondation Basque pour les Investigations en Santé Mentale (OMIE) à Bilbao, sur onze sessions. Les participants ont rempli un « questionnaire absurde » avec 50 paires d'images, dont il fallait en choisir une de chaque paire. Les résultats ont été élaborés dans le but de chercher, à travers l'amplification de l'inconscient, une possible influence de la dynamique groupale sur les choix des images des questionnaires. Nos analyses ont trouvé une évidence significative en faveur d'un effet de la dynamique groupale sur les choix initiaux des images, mais aussi sur l'évolution du nombre des changements (swaps) des images choisies au long des onze sessions. Nous avons aussi trouvé des relations entre les orientations des réponses dans les différents groupes, en tant que résultats d'Analyse en Composantes Multiples et du calcul de l'Entropie de la distribution de Bernoulli. Nous interprétons ces corrélations comme des effets groupaux à la lumière de la théorie groupale de Bion, qui postule une orientation inconsciente immédiate du groupe et son évolution successive tout au long des activités groupales.Mots clés : Dynamique de Groupe, Amplification de l'Inconscient, Model Quantique, Entropie
Group phenomena have been used since antiquity in therapeutic, social, economic and political domains. According to Bion, the interactions between group members generate a “group unconscious” and its behaviour is governed and oriented by Bion's “basic assumptions.” The present work has been conducted during group analysis training at the Basque Foundation for the Investigation of Mental Health (OMIE) at Bilbao, consisting of eleven sessions. The participants are presented with an “absurd questionnaire” proposing 50 pairs of images, in each of which one image has to be chosen. The results are used to search through an unconscious amplification for evidence in favour of the influence of group dynamics on individual choices of the images proposed in the questionnaire. Our analysis finds some significant evidence for an effect of group dynamics both on the initial choice of the pictures and on the evolution of the number of changes (swaps) of picture choices across the eleven sessions. We find also some relations between the orientation of the answers in the groups as results of Multiple Variable Analysis and calculation of the distribution of Bernoulli's Entropy. We interpret these correlations as group effects in the light of Bion's view of group dynamics, which postulates an immediate onset of a group unconscious and its evolution during the group activity.Keywords: Group Dynamics, Unconscious Amplification, Quantic Model, Entropy

The English semi-opera, Psyche (1675), written by Thomas Shadwell, with music by Matthew Locke, was thought at the time of its performance to be a mere copy of Psyche (1671), a French tragedie-ballet by Moliere, Pierre Corneille, and Philippe Quinault, with music by Jean- Baptiste Lully. This view, accompanied by a certain attitude that the French version was far superior to the English, continued well into the twentieth century. This view is misleading; although the English play was adapted from the French, both were representative of two well-developed native theatrical traditions. Therefore, though there are certain parallels, both in plot and in the subject matter of some musical numbers, the differences in structure, both of the drama and of the music, are more significant. This thesis is a comparative study of the two plays, analyzing both their dramatic and musical structures, and examining them both from the context of the two theatrical traditions. It is concluded that the literary approach to tragedy of French theater resulted in the separation of drama and music, the latter relegated to the prologue, or to end-of-act diversions called intercedes. This allowed Lully to have great control over his music, and in Psyche (1671), he was concerned with the form of each intermede as a whole instead of striving for a variety of forms and ensembles within individual songs. Most of his songs and dances are solo airs in binary form; he makes little use of chorus and ensembles. On the contrary, the music in Psyche (1675) on many occasions was integrated with the plot, and was scattered randomly throughout the play. This prevented Locke from having artistic control over his compositions; Shadwell, the lyricist, determined where the music would occur, the ensembles to be used, and the moods of songs. Shadwell and Locke were concerned with the variety in each individual piece, rather than with unifying the overall form of musical scenes, and the overwhelming majority of songs have a combination of solo voice, ensembles, and chorus. Therefore, Psyche is not an unoriginal copy, but is a reinterpretation of the myth using the aesthetic of the Restoration tragic theater.
Arts, Faculty of
Music, School of
Graduate

This study aimed to investigate the use of expressive art as a manifestation of the unconscious psyche and as an indication of underlying personality dynamics. Its use as a significant medium for therapeutic encounter and exploration was investigated by analysing the art produced by four psychiatric in-patients during their participation in an eight-week art therapy programme. Each patient's art series was qualitatively and thematically interpreted with a focus upon the meaning of significant recurring images and motifs. The results of this study indicate that the particularity of each patient's graphic imagery enabled the lived experience of their struggles and preoccupations to emerge as uniquely different. Through their art productions they revealed the nature of their inner worlds and the power of their thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2009.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Jun. 26, 2009). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of English and Comparative Literature." Discipline: English and Comparative Literature; Department/School: English and Comparative Literature.

A case study conducted under the rubric of integral inquiry, this research explores the application of Jungian and archetypal psychology to the growth process of an organization. Drawing upon analysis of public documents using Corlett and Pearson’s Archetype of Organization model, it identifies the Hero, Ruler, and Sage as the archetypes most active within the organizational psyche of the Oregon Public Health Division and the Jester, Explorer, Creator, and Caregiver as archetypes in the organizational shadow. Focus group discussion data characterizes these archetypes and contributes to specific recommendations for how this archetypal analysis could inform the agency’s development and modernization. Guided by Hillman’s process of “seeing through,” further analysis provides alchemical and mythological perspectives on the agency’s organizational psyche informed by metaphorical analysis of documents and focus group data, the somatic and emotional responses of researcher and participants, and the researcher’s dream and self-generated mandala images. This inquiry demonstrates that archetypal analysis can provide a valuable and unusual perspective on an agency, a nuanced opportunity for an organization to “know thyself” not available by means of conventional public health program evaluations or organizational assessments.

This study applies a depth symbolic approach with hermeneutic methodology to examine the psychological legacy of the historical Chinese Exclusion Act (1882-1943) and its impact on the psyche of the Chinese American. The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first and only American legislation that ever prohibited a group of immigrants from entering America solely on the basis of race. The voice of the Chinese American was silenced and the shadow cast on their psyche was long lasting. Through the analysis of two autobiographies and six poems written by the Chinese Americans that directly experienced and bore witness to the exclusion era, this study explores the identity formation, self-definition, self-expression, coping patterns, and models of functioning of the Chinese American. Hidden and forgotten themes and contents in the Chinese American psyche are also uncovered. This research employs an exploratory method of analysis by interweaving personal narratives, cultural symbolism, and mythical images with historical, political, and social events. The emic “bottom up” perspective taken in this study intends to obtain knowledge directly from the experience of a minority group to inform and broaden the theoretical foundation of depth psychology with a diverse and multicultural scope. The study concludes that the unique psychic representation of the Chinese American emerges at the interface of their inner and outer realities. The findings reflect on the pioneer and defiant characteristics of the Chinese American, and their repressed aggression and incomplete mourning over loss.

Dogs categorized as pit bulls are entangled with American sociocultural and psychological dynamics, and alternately imagined as noble, vicious, and sweet. Depth psychology holds that untended unconscious dynamics overwhelm situations and manifest in undesired ways such as violence and oppression. This research explored the unconscious dynamics in pit bull phenomena and asked whether archetypal understandings of these phenomena can promote compassion, social justice, and well-being for dogs and humans. Employing a hermeneutic methodology with a depth psychological lens, this research sought an archetypal understanding of pit bull fighting, breed-specific legislation (BSL), negative breed-based stereotypes, and pit bull rescue and advocacy through hermeneutic dialogues with texts representing these phenomena. Findings showed that the worlds of White dogfighters and game dog breeders contain a complex array of archetypal elements, including archetypes of Warrior, Hero, Wise Old Man, and Magician, and themes of initiation and alchemy. These worlds are also sites for productions of White American heteromasculine personae. Other findings showed that BSL, negative breed stereotypes, and pit bull rescue and advocacy represent transformations of the pit bull image through alchemical stages of destructive nigredo and purifying albedo. These stages showed how the pit bull image emerges from White social anxieties and is employed to reestablish White comfort. An integrated rubedo stage of the pit bull image, in which all of these dynamics are made conscious, is promoted to support social justice and well-being for dogs and humans.

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to increase understanding of what therapists encounter and learn about their own psyche as a result of their work with borderline patients. The overarching goal of this research explores the impact of these relationships on the therapist's psyche in order to generate information that can be utilized in the training process of therapists who work with BPD patients as well as to elicit information that could possibly be useful to families, parents, and partners of people diagnosed with BPD. The self-knowledge accumulated by therapists in regard to their own process can inform others engaged in a relationship with borderline patients. The researcher investigated the lived experience of six seasoned therapists through in person, individual interviews. The interviews were analyzed using phenomenological data analysis methods to gain an understanding of the lived experience of each participant as well as for identifying themes shared across participants. All of the participants in this study had an increased awareness and recognition of material emerging from the unconscious as a result of their work with BPD. Core themes that emerged in relation to the participants' experience included realizations of their own inner complexes such as the destroyer, the dark shadow of the self. Participants' experience included inner realizations such as getting in touch with loss and grief and having to be fully authentic. Metabolizing these emerging inner realizations allowed participants to report experiences of i ntegration and shifts in relation to the self, shifts in relationship with death, recognition of personal limitations, becoming humbled and centered, increased curiosity and courage, and a newly acquired sense of playfulness and freedom. All of the six participants were able to recognize unconscious aspects of the self that were activated as a result of the work with borderline patients. Three participants enjoyed working with BPD and felt that their patients experienced improvement that contributed to the therapists' sense of satisfaction and reward from the work.

In order to search for evidence of hydration on M-type asteroid (16) Psyche, we observed this object in the 3 mu m spectral region using the long-wavelength cross-dispersed (LXD: 1.9-4.2 mu m) mode of the SpeX spectrograph/imager at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. Our observations show that Psyche exhibits a 3 mu m absorption feature, attributed to water or hydroxyl. The 3 m absorption feature is consistent with the hydration features found on the surfaces of water-rich asteroids, attributed to OH- and/or H2O-bearing phases (phyllosilicates). The detection of a 3 mu m hydration absorption band on Psyche suggests that this asteroid may not be a. metallic core, or it could be a metallic core that has been impacted by carbonaceous material over the past 4.5 Gyr. Our results also indicate rotational spectral variations, which we suggest reflect heterogeneity in the metal/silicate ratio on the surface of Psyche.

This qualitative study addresses the lived experience of participants in a specific somatic psychotherapy practice, relational somatic psychotherapy (RSP). The RSP approach is a biologically based, interpersonal exploration of consciousness and self-awareness through authentic relationship (Hilton, 2007). Following an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology, this study analyzes interviews focused on how participants experienced the somatically based psychodynamic healing modality of RSP through group relational dynamics. This study is grounded in depth psychology in that participants in RSP work with the unknown, repressed energy of the body in order to make behavioral and emotional energetic patterns conscious. It is grounded in somatic psychology in that the focus of exploration is in present moment experiences of the body. Thus, the assumption of this study is that the integration of both traditions creates an embodied approach to psyche. Themes that emerged from this study suggest that awareness is transformed through embodied relational experiences. These themes helped articulate that embodied relational experiences in psychodynamic group process supported individuals in integrating the dissociated parts of themselves into consciousness, suggesting that embodiment practices experienced in the context of authentic relationship help to integrate psyche and soma. Such experiences seem to integrate previous unconscious, implicit memory systems into healing and empowering embodied self-awareness.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2009.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Jun. 26, 2009). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of English and Comparative Literature." Discipline: English and Comparative Literature; Department/School: English and Comparative Literature.

This hermeneutic research attempts to address the mind and body problem using complementarity from quantum physics and dual aspect monism from philosophy. Quantum mechanics and dual-aspect monism offer ways to explain complex phenomena that include aspects that are seemingly contradictory. In quantum physics, wave–particle complementarity describes how an atom is both a particle and a wave. In dual-aspect monism, the underlying domain of the universe is neither physical nor mental, but these are both aspects of the ontology. Applying these ideas from quantum mechanics and dual-aspect monism to the existing paradigms within psychology provides different perspectives on the mind-body problem. To begin the process of applying these theories, the physis is imagined to be a particle and the psyche is imagined to be a wave. Complementarity is then used to explore the psyche and the physis. Psyche and physis are also surveyed using dual aspect monism. As the psyche and physis are explored as two different aspects of one ontology, this research attempts to examine how this would manifest within our existence, and what the theories would mean for the splits within the field of psychology. This research found that the frame used to approach psychology (psyche or physis) impacts the results, and trying to approach psychology without using one aspect or the other is difficult to symbolize, and or practice. For depth psychology, this research has shown that retreating entirely to the imaginal or the unconscious may be an unbalanced approach. Keywords: psychology, quantum physics, complementarity, dual-aspect monism

The thesis set out to explore means of coping with change when in a state of isolation and basic parameters and references in life have been lost. Isolation may be a result of a change in environment, such as an interstate move to take up a new job,or changing from an office environment to home based work. It can result from relational changes such as marriage breakdown or from major life stage changes such as retirement. The first stage of the study involved the establishment of a collaborative group to explore issues that each member had experienced in coping with change. The second stage was an individual exploration of the author's own journey involving changes in work environments and interstate moves. The third stage was a consideration of literature that reflected and supported the thesis, of gathering information from relevant case studies conducted.Out of these stages came the hypothesis that people cope with change in isolation through a sense of belonging associated with several factors.Reflections on the research process and methodologies have been considered and implications arising out of the research are discussed. The thesis concludes with evocations of the impact of the research findings on others.
Master of Science (Hons)(Social Ecology)

This thesis examines the impact of music on people from a depth-psychological perspective and explores how music can deeply touch and change clients’ lives and allow for healing. In so doing, this thesis will contribute to increased understanding of the need for music therapeutically. Utilizing qualitative methodology and a hermeneutic approach, this thesis considers the significant impact of music on the body, brain, mind, spirituality, and emotions, and examines how music can be used as a healing power. The research question guiding this thesis is: How can music be used in a client’s therapeutic process to allow for the needed healing? The results explain what music therapy is and how it is used therapeutically, and how it promotes healing while bringing a greater understanding and appreciation for music therapy.

This production thesis utilizes artistic-creative and heuristic methodologies along with an organic inquiry in exploring expression of and dialogue with images as a therapeutic method of healing and restoring soul. Specifically, accessing the unconscious by working with images facilitates the reintegration of fragmented parts of self, thereby restoring the soul/psyche loss that occurs during trauma dissociation. Influenced by Jungian, depth, and archetypal theory as well as expressive arts therapy, the author presents her personal work and engages in interactive and intuitive dialogue with energetic images arising from experiences during graduate studies. The production, 53 original drawings and one sculpture, informs depth psychology through the author’s access to the mundus imaginalis, in the realm of the world of the soul, through dialoguing with images as a way of healing from traumatic dissociation. This image-based depth psychological method is informative for mental health clinicians working with trauma survivors.

This dissertation applies what David Miller has called “the third wave of Jungian thought” to a favorite depth psychological story: “Cupid and Psyche.” Through close examination of previous efforts to interpret Apuleius’ text, the dissertation displays the essential syntax and assumptions of textual interpretation practiced by “first” and “second” wave Jungians. Mythological interpretation from a Depth Psychological perspective has long relied on two assumptions to justify its efforts: first, myths can be interpreted as “collective dreams” in which character and plot can be searched for clues to the meaning of the composite dream-myth and secondly, that there is a deep link between the “meanings” discovered in such examinations and the everyday world in which we live. In this view, myths are archetypal lessons. The leading proponent of the third wave, Wolfgang Giegerich, explicitly challenges both of these assumptions. With respect to character and plot, Giegerich believes we need to see through not only to the archetype that guides a character or action but rather “all the way” through to the structure or syntax of the entire tale as the positions displayed by the characters move along their trajectories. He applies Hegel’s dialectical logic of position-negation-sublation-restoration to the logical structure of a tale under examination. This move results in interpretations that are less about theories, morals, or advice on psychological issues and more about aesthetics and the artistic expression of a truth. The final section of this dissertation is a performance of a “third-wave” interpretation that views the “Cupid and Psyche” tale as a portrait of beauty in which Venus, Psyche, and Proserpina’s box of beauty represent positions in a dialectic displaying the notion of Beauty refining and developing itself. Rather than seeking a tidy conclusion or supporting a specific theory, this reading attempts to satisfy on aesthetic grounds. It is a tale, after all, about Beauty. In the way that the development and display of art refines both the artist and its viewer, this style of mythological interpretation, by avoiding the concretizing reduction common to imagistic readings, deepens the subtlety of thinking in both performer and audience.

There are places within nature which are imbued with magic and beauty. This dissertation explores the numinous or sacred within nature which creates such a hold upon the imagination. The images of enchantment from fairy-faith open the realms of nature as a threshold experience, explored through the research of W.Y. Evans-Wentz and Katherine Briggs. The concept of the invisibles in nature as "Other" is investigated through the ideas of Mary Watkins.

When one steps into these enchanted spaces, one may want to spontaneously sing, dance, or remember a story. Such an enchanted experience signals that the invisibles or fairy-folk may be present. The Irish poet W. B. Yeats wrote that " . . . the beautiful [fairies] are not far away when we are walking in pleasant and quiet places [. . .] I will explore every little nook of some poor coppice with almost anxious footsteps, so deep a hold has this imagination upon me" (Mythologies 64).

A relationship between the human and natural orders of being encourages the imagination of both worlds. As Gaston Bachelard argues, "The imagination gives more than things and actions, it invents new life, new spirit; it opens eyes to new types of vision" (On Poetic Imagination and Reverie 16). The poetic imagination provides a way to enter the mythical spheres of nature. The imagining psyche, as seen through the lens of alchemy, mysticism, and physics, is explored through the work of W. B. Yeats, Mary Oliver, and William Shakespeare. In their works, the poetic imagination creates stories that give visionary form to the invisibles of nature. This study also investigates the figures of Arthurian legend, Merlin and Vivien, in their fairy aspect. Their story of disappearance into the primeval forest provides metaphors for the workings of numinosity within nature, such as the "return to the forest," and the "sacred marriage," explored through the thought of Heinrich Zimmer, Mircea Eliade, C. G. Jung, and Marie Louise von Franz.

Finally, an accompanying creative component includes a journal of active/guided/shamanic imagination, a journal focusing on travel to Ireland, and a collection of poems, which, taken together, contribute to the exploration of the numinous qualities of nature.

Addressing the aftermath of trauma is among the most important contributions of psychology. As the numbers of individuals experiencing posttraumatic symptom sequelae continues to increase, it becomes imperative to research and explore a wider range of trauma treatment approaches in order to provide more individualized care. The goal of this study was to gain insights into the body-based approach of Somatic Experiencing®, a short-term naturalistic approach developed by Peter Levine (2007), through experiences of practitioners. The participants practice the Somatic Experiencing® in integration with psychodynamic psychotherapy. Based on a phenomenological case study approach, 4 licensed psychologists and Somatic Experiencing® practitioners were interviewed in order to learn more about how their integration of the 2 approaches impacts their clinical approach to working with trauma symptoms. Among the key themes that emerged from the analysis was the significance of integration in positive outcomes for individuals experiencing posttraumatic reactions by reducing or resolving their symptoms through a novel approach. The implications of this study for the field of clinical psychology are in further elucidation of the integration and its distinct contributions to treatment of trauma. Keywords: treatment of trauma; somatic psychotherapy; psychodynamic psychotherapy; posttraumatic stress disorder

The epitome of psychoanalysis is the process of psyche integration—making the unconscious conscious. As such, the unconscious material holds that which is feared most, the unknown. Buried within the unconscious, the shadow is born; an eerie abyss of repressed emotions, unwanted memories, and forgotten fantasies. Accessing this material can be wearisome, even distressing, without skillful clinical support. This dissertation postulates using literature as conduit in a therapeutic setting to facilitate psyche integration and healthy psychological development. The foundation of depth psychology lends a perfect lens through which to view a literary work because of the emphasis for considering the presence of the unconscious. A hermeneutic research methodology and imaginal approach are used to discuss unconscious material derived from the textual themes and characters in selected works of Edgar Allan Poe. Poe’s works provide an appropriate framework to hold shadow material as he utilized and personified psychological affects directly correlated to the shadow, and they still possess the ability to connect to their reader a century and a half after conception. The selected works for this dissertation analysis include: “Ligeia” (1838), “The Fall of the House of Usher” (1839), and “William Wilson” (1840).

Keywords: Edgar Allan Poe, shadow, literature, textual hermeneutic wheel, imaginal, depth psychology.

The asteroid (16) Psyche is of scientific interest because it contains similar to 1% of the total mass of the asteroid belt and is thought to be the remnant metallic core of a protoplanet. Radar observations have indicated the significant presence of metal on the surface with a small percentage of silicates. Prior ground-based observations showed rotational variations in the near-infrared (NIR) spectra and radar albedo of this asteroid. However, no comprehensive study that combines multi-wavelength data has been conducted so far. Here we present rotationally resolved NIR spectra (0.7-2.5 mu m) of (16) Psyche obtained with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. These data have been combined with shape models of the asteroid for each rotation phase. Spectral band parameters extracted from the NIR spectra show that the pyroxene band center varies from similar to 0.92 to 0.94 mu m. Band center values were used to calculate the pyroxene chemistry of the asteroid, whose average value was found to be Fs(30)En(65)Wo(5). Variations in the band depth (BD) were also observed, with values ranging from 1.0% to 1.5%. Using a new laboratory spectral calibration method, we estimated an average orthopyroxene content of 6% +/- 1%. The mass-deficit region of Psyche, which exhibits the highest radar albedo, also shows the highest value for the spectral slope and the minimum BD. The spectral characteristics of Psyche suggest that its parent body did not have the typical structure expected for a differentiated body or that the sequence of events that led to its current state was more complex than previously thought.

Background: Recent studies have confirmed a significant comorbidity between eating disorders and self-harm; they linked the presence of self-harm to a more severe and treatment-resistant eating disorder symptomatology. Difficulties with impulse-control were suggested to mediate this association. The present study explored another variable believed to be involved: mentalising. Method: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, between-groups design was employed and a measure of mentalising was compared in individuals presenting with eating disorders and in individuals presenting with eating disorders and concurrent self-harm. Both groups were compared with a control group. Results: Findings suggested that individuals with concurrent presentations reported less mentalising ability compared to individuals without concurrent difficulties. In addition, both groups significantly differed from the control group. Conclusions: Results are discussed in relation to clinical implications.