The Divided Self by R. D. Laing - Test
- 1. The Divided Self, written by the renowned psychiatrist R. D. Laing and published in 1960, is a pioneering work that explores the nature of personal identity and the experience of mental illness from a phenomenological perspective. In this groundbreaking text, Laing delves into the lived experience of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, challenging conventional psychiatric views that often treat such conditions in terms of mere symptoms and biological factors. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and existential dimensions of mental health, proposing that the divide in the self often arises from the interpersonal relationships and societal pressures that individuals face. Laing articulately describes the struggle of those who feel alienated from themselves and from others, portraying their journey as one that reflects a deeper search for meaning and connection in a fragmented world. The book not only critiques the dehumanizing aspects of psychiatric institutions but also calls for a compassionate understanding of the complexities of human existence. By articulating the experience of a divided self, Laing invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of sanity, madness, and the continuum of human experience, making this work a seminal contribution to both psychology and existential philosophy.
According to Laing, what is 'ontological insecurity'?
A) Lack of fundamental sense of self
B) Concern about social status
C) Anxiety about physical health
D) Fear of financial instability
- 2. What does Laing mean by the term 'false self system'?
A) A cognitive bias in perception
B) A defensive facade protecting the true self
C) A multiple personality disorder
D) A method of lying to others
- 3. What is the 'embodied self' in Laing's theory?
A) Athletic body type
B) Self that is integrated and authentic
C) Materialistic worldview
D) Physically attractive personality
- 4. How does Laing view traditional psychiatric diagnosis?
A) As essential for treatment planning
B) As labeling that can be dehumanizing
C) As scientifically precise categories
D) As irrelevant to therapy
- 5. What is 'primary ontological security' according to Laing?
A) Social acceptance
B) Physical safety
C) Fundamental sense of being real
D) Financial independence
- 6. What does Laing mean by 'existential position'?
A) Social class status
B) One's fundamental way of being in the world
C) Career choice
D) Political beliefs
- 7. What is 'engulfment' in Laing's terminology?
A) Financial bankruptcy
B) Academic failure
C) Fear of being overwhelmed by others
D) Physical suffocation
- 8. Laing was critical of which aspect of traditional psychiatry?
A) Objectification of patients
B) Use of psychotherapy
C) Research methodologies
D) Study of brain chemistry
- 9. According to Laing, the 'divided self' results from:
A) Chemical imbalance
B) Poor education
C) Split between true and false self
D) Genetic predisposition
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