Repression & Dissociation: Implications for Personality Theory, Psychopathology & Health

by Jerome L. Singer

This book features contributions from twenty six leading experts that survey the theoretical, historical, methodological, empirical, and clinical aspects of repression and the repressive personality style, from both psychoanalytic and cognitive psychological perspectives.

"Rarely does a volume present contributions on a controversial topic from such distinguished clinicians and experimentalists . . . . There is something of interest in this volume for almost anyone involved in experimental cognitive psychology and psychiatry."—Carroll E. Izard, Contemporary Psychology

"The concept of repression is the cornerstone of psychoanalytic theory. . . . This is a delightful book, unusually well-written. . . . Recommended."— Choice

"Readable, thorough, wide ranging and consistently interesting. . . . A testament to the continuing power of psychodynamic ideas when faced with individual psychopathology."—Sue Llewelyn, Psychologist

"Singer has brought together some of the best empirical research in the areas of unconscious mental activity and repression—that is at once interdisciplinary and scholarly."—Howard D. Lerner, International Review of Psycho-analysis

"A rich reference, replete with summaries and citations, covering a variety of topics related to the psychology of repression and dissociation. . . . A thoughtful, detailed and eclectic discussion of the scientific and theoretical basis of repression and dissociation."—Steven Lazrove, M.D., American Journal of Psychiatry

536 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 1990

Reviews

[Sarah Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is simply not a terribly useful book. Books on dissociation should, I feel, be written only for practitioners, or therapists, and, naturally, for the people who dissociate. It may be no bad thing for a woman to not remember a rape, unless, of course, she has to go to court. And children manifest memory non-verbally at least some of the time and a skilled advocate will know how to present this. I only read one essay this time and was offended at the author saying a rape victim would remember if she were nagged and nagged and nagged. A survivor myself, I have had one therapist who nagged.
Assessing one's propensity to dissociate (and believe me, I have dissociated a great deal in my life, having had a natural propensity towards it even before I was abused) can become a question of contemplating one's own navel. Learning NOT to dissociate, by singing, listening to music, or what have you, is far more worthwhile.
So this book should have been culled in my recent massive cull. I think I associated Singer with Piaget when I bought the book, and it does seem that I was mistaken.

[Iuri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A discussion on the repressive defensive style contextualized within empirical research, theory, psychopathology, and psychotherapy.