A Map of the Ocean: Psychodynamic Approaches

Abstract

The previous two chapters discussed rather general maps relating to social issues such as power and oppression; they also discussed systems and addressed values. We now present the first of four specific maps that contain the potential to ‘blow up’ the detail needed for arriving at thorough analyses to guide further action. This chapter presents, as does Chapter 8, a traditional psychological analysis of human behaviour, which may leave the reader wondering about the concerns expressed in Chapter 2 concerning the ‘psy complex’. We did, however, stress that since external problems become internal and the internal affects the external, looking at nothing other than social aspects is as inadequate as looking at nothing other than psychological aspects; we need to consider both. Also, the ideas in the next chapters all need to be used alongside the ideas outlined in the previous two chapters.