A Jungian formulation of incest as revealed in a clinical case study of an incest perpetrator

De Kock, Yvonne

A Jungian formulation of incest as revealed in a clinical case study of an incest perpetrator

Master Thesis

1987

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to provide a psychological understanding of the issues pertinent to the perpetration of father-daughter incest. An analysis of incest in the context of Jungian theory provides the theoretical basis. To elucidate the unconscious meaning of incest, the relationship between the incest impulse, symbolic incest and actual incest is examined. It is argued that actual incest constitutes a gross distortion of the individuation process and, due to its regressive component, a defence against total psychic extinction. It is, at the same time, a plea for rebirth. What emerges from the theoretical analysis is that the essential motivation for sexual union with an adolescent daughter unconsciously represents an attempt at integrating the anima in her positive, nurturant and 'desirable' aspect. A clinical case study is then presented in which these themes are elucidated and discussed. It is concluded that the understanding of actual incest should be located in a symbolic/developmental framework and that the unconscious meaning of incest has implications for psychological, moral and legal definitions.

Keywords

Clinical Psychology

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