Large Group Psychology and Human Aggression
Date: Saturday, April 26: 9:00am-12:00pm
Credits: 3 CE
Speaker: Vamik Volkan, MD
Meeting is both on Zoom & in-person at:
The Center for Integrative Counseling & Psychology
4305 MacArthur Ave.
Dallas, TX 75209
This seminar describes how an individual develops a large group identity, drawing on case material from a long-experienced analyst. Then, psychanalytic conceptions of aggression, as it is used to protect and maintain a shared large group identity, are considered as potentially relevant to treatment. These individually held, large group identities will also be contextualized socially. People refer to some “real events” as causes of such large-scale conflicts. However, when such conflicts become chronic, large-group psychologies contaminates political, legal, economic, military and other shared issues. The seminar will examine those shared narcissistic investments in large-group identities and the ways they create stubborn obstacles for finding peaceful and satisfactory diplomatic and legal solutions to large-group conflicts, especially if they become chronic.
Learning Objectives:
Conceptualize tribalism in psychoanalytic terms and as a potential concern for clinical attention and socially-minded treatment
Draw on socio-political and therapeutic case studies to learn to better assess pathologically narcisstic investment in large-group identities
Contextualize clinical treatment approaches with social integration and large-group cohesion
Presenter Biography:
Vamık D. Volkan, MD is an emeritus professor of psychiatry at the University of Virginai, Charlottesville, Virginia and an emeritus training and supervising analyst at the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute, Washington, D.C. During his 39 years at the University of Virginia Volkan was the medical director of the university's Blue Ridge Hospital for eighteen years. A year after his 2002 retirement, he became the Senior Erik Erikson Scholar at the Erikson Institute of the Austen Riggs Center, Stockbridge, Massachusetts for ten years. He received nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 with support letters from 27 countires.
References:
Hamburger, A., Hancheva, C. & Volkan, V. D. (Editors), (2020). Social Trauma: An Interdisciplinary Textbook. London: Springer.
Volkan, V. D. (2013). Enemies on the Couch: A Psychopolitical Journey Through War and Peace. Durham, NC: Pitchstone.
Volkan, V. D. (2014). Psychoanalysis, International Relations, and Diplomacy: A Sourcebook on Large-Group Psychology. London: Karnac.
Volkan, V. D., Scholz, R. & Fromm, M. G. (Editors) (2023). We Don’t Speak of Fear: Large-Group Identity, Societal Conflict, and Collective Trauma. London: Phoenix.
Volkan, V. D. & Volkan, K. (2024-in press). Human Aggression, War, and Genocide.Durham, NC: Pitchstone.
Continuing Medical Education
ACCME Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and the Dallas Psychoanalytic Center. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure Statement
The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.
Licensed Professional Counselors
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Social Workers
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In accordance with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council rules, Dallas Psychoanalytic Center can provide continuing education to Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists. The rules on continuing education course requirements can be found here.
Psychologists
In accordance with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council rules, Dallas Psychoanalytic Center can provide continuing education to psychologists. Licensees are encouraged to read rule 463.35 for complete information on professional development hours and provider requirements. The rules on continuing education course requirements can be found here.