Therapeutic Typo-logics

Typologies present a conundrum for those interested in the pursuit of human flourishing.

On the one hand, the categorisation of people into flattened, reductive ‘types’ has been widely recognised as a source of injustice and psychic injury. On the other hand, it is hard to see how we could make sense of, let alone navigate, an infinitely complex social world without resorting to typification.

In this seminar, I examine how this tension plays out on Indonesia’s hypnosis circuit, a milieu in which the practice of both therapeutic and prophylactic care involves the concerted deconstruction of ‘labels’ and ‘limiting beliefs’ in favour of embracing of subjects’ lived realities. Hypnotists’ projects of care can easily become compromised by the typologies taught within hypnopsychological discourse, as well as by those upon which the development of the hypnosis circuit has been predicated.

Nevertheless, the practice of hypnosis also illuminates how we can relate to typologies in less problematic ways that allow them to serve as conduits of connection and rapport. I examine the theoretical implications of such findings for an anthropology of types, and for the discipline’s own conflicted relationship to typological reason. 

Registration

The event is free to attend, but external/non-SOAS visitors must register to attend.

Sponsor and organiser

The seminar series is funded by a grant from UKRI. SOAS launched its Centre for Anthropology and Mental Health Research in Action (CAMHRA) this year, as a centre that aims to foster collaborations between anthropology and mental health research and practice.