The Divided Self by R. D. Laing
- 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) Anxiety about physical health
B) Lack of fundamental sense of self
C) Fear of financial instability
D) Concern about social status
- 2. What does Laing mean by the term 'false self system'?
A) A multiple personality disorder
B) A cognitive bias in perception
C) A method of lying to others
D) A defensive facade protecting the true self
- 3. What is the 'embodied self' in Laing's theory?
A) Physically attractive personality
B) Self that is integrated and authentic
C) Athletic body type
D) Materialistic worldview
- 4. How does Laing view traditional psychiatric diagnosis?
A) As irrelevant to therapy
B) As labeling that can be dehumanizing
C) As essential for treatment planning
D) As scientifically precise categories
- 5. What is 'primary ontological security' according to Laing?
A) Social acceptance
B) Financial independence
C) Fundamental sense of being real
D) Physical safety
- 6. What does Laing mean by 'existential position'?
A) Social class status
B) Career choice
C) Political beliefs
D) One's fundamental way of being in the world
- 7. What is 'engulfment' in Laing's terminology?
A) Financial bankruptcy
B) Academic failure
C) Physical suffocation
D) Fear of being overwhelmed by others
- 8. Laing was critical of which aspect of traditional psychiatry?
A) Study of brain chemistry
B) Use of psychotherapy
C) Objectification of patients
D) Research methodologies
- 9. According to Laing, the 'divided self' results from:
A) Split between true and false self
B) Poor education
C) Chemical imbalance
D) Genetic predisposition
|