Psychoanalytic self-psychology and the ethic of nonviolenc

A theoretical exploration and integration of the theories of nonviolent social change and psychoanalytic self psychology are presented. A primary purpose of the investigation is to demonstrate that psychoanalytic self psychology may actually be viewed as a form of nonviolent change. A detailed investigation of the concepts of violence, nonviolence, and psychoanalytic self psychology is provided. The exploration then leads to an integration of nonviolent theory with self psychology. The focus of the integration rests on areas which are congruent among both theories. In particular, there is an investigation of the traditionally nonviolent concepts of self-suffering, search for truth, and the interchangeability of means and ends as they exist within self psychological theory. Next, through case vignettes, the effects of a conscious maintenance of nonviolent principles in an actual therapy case are described. It is demonstrated that integration of nonviolent principles into self psychological theory can broaden the conceptualization and content of therapy. A brief discussion of the possible application of a nonviolent self psychology in other areas (i.e. environmental issues) is explored. Finally, a critique providing some of the limitations as well as some strengths of self psychological theory, nonviolent theory, and their integration is presented.