Philosophy & Psych by Jerry L Jennings
Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 2023
A large literature has formed around the question of how Freud's Jewishness and/or Judaism influe... more A large literature has formed around the question of how Freud's Jewishness and/or Judaism influenced his psychological discoveries and development of psychoanalytic theory and methods. The article organizes the literature into several core theses but brings new clarity and insight by applying two essential criteria to demonstrate an impact of Judaism on Freud's thinking: direct content and historical timing. First, there should be evidence that Freud incorporated actual content from Jewish sources, and second, this incorporation must have occurred during the most crucial period of Freud's early discovery, conceptualization, and development of psychoanalysis, roughly 1893–1910. Thus, for example, Bakan's well‐known theory that Freud studied Kabbala is completely negated by the absence of any evidence in the required time period. Part I reviews the literature on the influence of Freud's ethnic/cultural Jewish identity. Part II introduces the Judaic sacred literature, explores Freud's education in Judaism and Hebrew, and presents evidence that Freud had the motive, means, and resources to discover and draw from the “Dream Segment” of the Talmud—along with the traditional Judaic methods and techniques of textual exegesis. Freud then applied these same Judaic word‐centered interpretive methods—used for revealing an invisible God—to revealing an invisible Unconscious in four successive books in 1900, 1901, and 1905.
Husserl revisited: The forgotten distinction between psychology and phenomenology
... as a rigorous science in the classical sense of establishing indubitable universal facts ... ... more ... as a rigorous science in the classical sense of establishing indubitable universal facts ... experimental form was incapable of discerning and clar-ifying the essential nature of consciousness ... not conduct experiments about the relation between a stimulus and perception without first ...
Oxford University Press eBooks, 2000
Description of Edmund Husserl (1859 -1938 ), the German philosopher who founded phenomenology. Hu... more Description of Edmund Husserl (1859 -1938 ), the German philosopher who founded phenomenology. Husserl proposed phenomenology as a positive alternative to the experimental methods of "the new scientific psychology" at the turn of the 20th century. Husserl believed phenomenology was needed to clarify the essential, but unanalyzed, pre-understandings of mental phenomena that guide psychology's empirical investigations. Husserl's work profoundly influenced 20th century philosophy and his critique of psychology's experimental approach to studying mental processes remains vital to this day.
American Psychologist, 1986
As phenomenology attracts ever-growing attention in current psychology, it is increasingly import... more As phenomenology attracts ever-growing attention in current psychology, it is increasingly important for psychologists to understand that phenomenology encompasses much more than a mere appreciation for subjective self-report data. The stimulating ideas of Husserl, the so-called founder of phenomenology, are reexamined to enlighten psychologists about phenomenology's contrasting approach to the study of consciousness: Whereas psychology studies actual subjective responses to actual environmental events (empirical data), phenomenology studies the essential character of consciousness in meaning conferring acts (essential knowledge). At the turn of the centuq Husserl proposed phenomenology as a positive alternative to the experimental methods of "the new sci-entijic psychology." Husserl believed phenomenology was needed to clarify the essential, but unanalyzed, preun-derstandings of mental phenomena that guidepsychology's experimental investigations.
Journal of Mind and Behavior, 1985
The problem of explaining the interaction of mind and body has been a central issue in the human ... more The problem of explaining the interaction of mind and body has been a central issue in the human sciences since the time of Descartes. However. a careful re-examination of Descartes' epistemological procedure in the Medirations (1641/1960) reveals the "fallacious origin" of the classic mind-body division. In fact, the mind-body problem is not a genuine ontological split "discovered" by Descartes' method, but rather an artifact of using a method already laden with ontological preconceptions about mental being. Furthermore, Descartes inadvertently shifted from his original (epistemological) goal of establishing certain knowledge to an implicit (ontological) investigation of mental being, which then compelled him to investigate his own mental existence. Unfortunately, this phenomenological investigation was severely biased by the exclusive attentive state of reflective thinking that is generated by the method. Consequently. Descartes' inadequate phenomenological analysis further exacerbated the illusory "insight" that mind is separable from body.
Journal of Mind and Behavior, 1988
Nietzsche began his career as a classical philologist, but he rejected the pedantic and strict co... more Nietzsche began his career as a classical philologist, but he rejected the pedantic and strict contemplative stance of his discipline. Nietzsche wanted to replace mere "arm-chair" scholarship with a new "super-philological" approach, that studied antiquity in order to gain insights into contemporary problems and promoted decisive living action in the present. In the course of demonstrating his new approach, Nietzsche transformed traditional philological studies into stimulating psychological analyses that were equally applicable to modern and ancient human behavior. By understanding the philological context of Nietzsche's early work, one can better appreciate the existential psychology he created in the years prior to changing over to philosophy proper. Based on his studies of ancient Greece, Nietzsche adapted a triad of personified metaphors to represent three different psychological mechanisms for dealing with the so-called "horror of existence." "Dionysus" embodied the therapeutic affirmation of life in the face of pain, chaos, and destruction, and symbolized the primitive instinctual nature that is at the core of all cultural creations. "Apollo" symbolized the tendency to cover the horror of existence with pleasant illusions of beauty, while "Socrates" represented the self-delusive capacity to transform existence into a secure intelligible world of order.
Argues that Nietzsche designed the aphoristic style as a systematic method for unleashing the pow... more Argues that Nietzsche designed the aphoristic style as a systematic method for unleashing the power and poetry of the creative imagination for philosophic purposes. Nietzsche stressed the crucial role of intuitive, non-rational, and imagistic modes of thought. The aphoristic method not only enabled Nietzsche to seize "impulsive illuminations," but served to communicate these insights in an invigorating fashion that retained the spontaneity, vividness, and excitement of their original conception. Although the aphoristic method provided this and many other philosophic and practical advantages, the disorderly and disjointed character of the aphoristic approach undermined its utility as a means of presenting ideas and ultimately caused widespread misunderstanding of Nietzsche's thought. In retrospect, Nietzsche's mastery of eidetic imagery and metaphor is relevant to modern psychological studies of imagery.
Open Journal of the Social Sciences, 2022
After 60 years of non-critical silence, Freud's Dora became the target of a surge of publications... more After 60 years of non-critical silence, Freud's Dora became the target of a surge of publications in the 1970s and 1980s that criticized his mismanagement of his adolescent patient. Jennings (1986) showed how this "Dora revival" was fueled by a revolutionary change in attitude toward countertransference and new understanding of adolescent development. In retrospect, the "revival" was just the start of a "Dora Wellspring" of over 200 publications about the case. Further, the most dominant and enduring theme in Dora literature has become the question of feminine psychosexual development and identity. This article reveals the crucial, albeit indirect and delayed, impact of Jacque Lacan's "return to Freud" in the 1950s, which brought Dora and hysteria to the attention of the early French feminists, who transformed Dora into a case exemplar for their deconstruction of male patriarchy. In turn, Dora was reexamined by dozens of psychoanalysts and writers, mostly female, seeking to develop a viable theory of feminine psychosexual development in the 1980s and 1990s. This discourse stimulated another surge of publications in the new century that have sought new insights by reexamining Freud's thinking in the Dora period and by directly applying Lacanian concepts to contemporary thinking about gender and trauma.
Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 1987
Describes how therapy experience with schizophrenic patients has impacted on four therapeutic app... more Describes how therapy experience with schizophrenic patients has impacted on four therapeutic approaches: existential psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, client-centered psychotherapy, and family therapy. It is suggested that such experience has led to similar therapist-centered modifications in each of the 4 psychotherapies and that a cross-relevancy between the treatment of schizophrenia and all other psychological disorders has emerged. Aspects of therapy considered include the interpersonal nature of the analytic situation, the communication of empathy, and intervention with dysfunctional family systems.
Journal of Psychology and Judaism, 1993
There are some striking similarities between the psychoanalytic approach and the Jewish literary ... more There are some striking similarities between the psychoanalytic approach and the Jewish literary tradition of Biblical exegesis known as "Midrash". Given Freud's familiarity and close identification with his Jewish heritage, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the development of psychoanalysis was strongly influenced by the Jewish intellectual tradition of Midrash. By illuminating the central role and character of Midrash, the present study attempts to show this direct, but unseen influence. Basically, Midrash is (1) a fundamentally interpretive and analytic method that (2) emphasizes human psychological factors and motives, and (3) seeks to reveal hidden "latent" meanings within "manifest" material. In turn, these important meanings can be (4) revealed through linguistic techniques such as word-analysis and word-play, and (5) are open to alternative interpretations and debate. Finally, (6) both Midrash and psychoanalysis share a vital focus on the study of origins.
American Psychologist, 1989
Responds to D. M. Snyder's (see record 1988-28275-001 ) three main criticisms of J. L. Jennings's... more Responds to D. M. Snyder's (see record 1988-28275-001 ) three main criticisms of J. L. Jennings's (see record 1987-05956-001 ) discussion of E. Husserl's (1931) concept of phenomenological investigation. J. L. Jennings and C. A. Lucca also reject T. Henley's (1988) opinion on looking beyond Husserl, since they believe Husserl continues to stand as the clearest statement of the most important and "forgotten" distinction between psychology and phenomenology. (The original downloadable article is included with this reply).
Journal of Mental Imagery, 1993
What if language, in all its subtlest forms, were systematically destroyed? What if this calculat... more What if language, in all its subtlest forms, were systematically destroyed? What if this calculated annihilation of language were dictated by a political authority whose objective was to control people by limiting the possibility of individual free thought? This is the central theme of 1984, George Orwell’s negative utopian view of the future, in which language is systematically destroyed as the primary means of ensuring unchallenged political hegemony. Through this degeneration of language, the range and richness of human experience was diminished, and the possibility of independent, creative thinking was strangled into silence. As illustrated in this amazing novel, 1984 shows how the impoverishment of language functions to extinguish imagination while also breaking social bonds and cultural identity.
Dream Analysis by Jerry L Jennings
International Journal of Dream Research, 2025
This article demonstrates a new dreamer-centered dream series methodology that can enhance the qu... more This article demonstrates a new dreamer-centered dream series methodology that can enhance the quality and phenomenological richness of the data used in dream research. In particular, this pilot study offers a more direct method of testing both the Continuity and Embodied Cognition Theories of Dreaming (ECTD) by (1) systematically identifying waking-life referents and their recency in relation to specific dream contents; (2) empowering individualized subjective interpretation and ratings of the personal meaning, bizarreness and emotionality of their own dreams; (3) expanding analysis from singular “whole dreams” to encompass a comprehensive series of multiple dreams; (4) enabling more detailed
analysis of segments within whole dreams; and (5) collecting naïve self-interpretive impressions that can facilitate identification of metaphors and schemas across the dream/waking continuum. In support of the “continuity” required for both theories, this single-case series analysis of 22 dreams (subdivided into 74 dream segments) found 30% of dream
content could be connected to waking life referents occurring in the preceding day, 50% within a week and 70% within 2 weeks. Most importantly, the proposed methodology yields the type of direct experiential data that can go beyond the mere question of “what” we dream about to seeing “how” dream consciousness incorporates waking life experiences in generating meaningful perceptions and alternative perspectives that can have practical and creative utility for living.
International Journal of Dream Research, 2024
As Freud’s first successful analysis of one of his own dreams, Irma’s Injection revealed the purp... more As Freud’s first successful analysis of one of his own dreams, Irma’s Injection revealed the purpose and meaning of dreams – disguised wish fulfillment – and provided a doorway to the unconscious mind. The presumption ever since has been that dreams are disguised ways of expressing (and thereby fulfilling) forbidden unconscious desires. By using an established client-centered methodology for dream interpretation, the article reviews the chronological sequence of Freud’s seminal dream of Irma’s Injection to show how each element can be readily recognized in terms of the most pressing issues in Freud’s life at that time and tied to events and situations that largely occurred within the days, even hours, of the Irma dream. The analysis will identify the actual people and biographical events informing Freud’s dream, specify the recency of those real-life events, and use Freud’s own words to demonstrate the direct “self-evident” meaning of each dream image, while repeatedly rejecting the presumption of disguise. By removing the distortions imposed by the theory of disguise, Freud’s dream, like any dream, can be seen as an is an intrinsically honest expression of the dreamer’s life experience and is abundantly valuable and completely sufficient in its so-called “manifest” meaning alone. The self-evident meaning of dream images may, at first impression, appear mysterious and baffling, but it is not because of some unconscious process of active disguise. It is simply because dreams express feelings through a marvelous imagic language, which the dreamer, and only the dreamer, can learn to discern for its highly individualized, self-recognizable wisdom.
ATSA Forum, 2022
This demonstration of person-centered dream analysis shows how a victim of childhood sexual abuse... more This demonstration of person-centered dream analysis shows how a victim of childhood sexual abuse was able to use his recurring “dream of the door ajar” to better understand the enduring impact of the trauma on his self-esteem and see how to move forward without shame.
Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 2022
In contrast to Freud’s conviction that dreams are a disguise of unconscious forbidden desires, th... more In contrast to Freud’s conviction that dreams are a disguise of unconscious forbidden desires, this dream-centered methodology shows that dreams are intrinsically honest and have “self-discernable” meaning that can only be grasped by the dreamer. The article describes simple techniques to help clients center on their dream experience and self-realize the truths embodied in the rich, wondrous, and mysterious (but not “disguised”) images in their dreams. By using Dora’s own words and applying historical/biographical details of her life, the method allows her dream images to finally speak their truths—and overcome the tyranny of Freud’s relentless, over-sexualized interpretations. By repeatedly overruling Dora’s own ideas with his authority, Freud caused Dora to distrust her own understanding of her dream images along with her other feelings and perceptions about herself and the outrageous conduct of the adults in her life. By helping to facilitate the self-discernible meaning of dream images, therapists honor the autonomy of clients like Dora and foster their self-affirming capacity to draw wisdom and enrichment from their dreams.
The Humanistic Psychologist, 2007
This article argues that dreams are neither disguised expressions of the unconscious nor symbolic... more This article argues that dreams are neither disguised expressions of the unconscious nor symbolic representations of waking life experience and personality dynamics. Rather dreams have self-evident meaning. Every dream image is precisely what it is. It embodies uniquely individualized meanings, traits, and aspirations, and presents them directly to the dreamer in an undisguised form. The difficulty in understanding dream images arises from neither hiddenness, nor complex symbolism, but from their absolute unhiddenness. Dreams are so self-evident that they appear baffling. A transcripted session shows how the dream-centered methodology enables the dreamer to reenter the dream experience and behold its self-evident meaning -- without the use of theoretical concepts.
Person-Centered Review, 1986
Describes a person-centered method of dream analysis. Conceptual guidelines and simple techniques... more Describes a person-centered method of dream analysis. Conceptual guidelines and simple techniques are provided, which the therapist can use to help clients discover for themselves the valuable meaning in their dreams. A transcript of an actual therapy session illustrating this method of person-centered dream analysis is included.
Journal of Mental Imagery, 1995
Following a theoretical discussion of the problems of dream interpretation, the author presents a... more Following a theoretical discussion of the problems of dream interpretation, the author presents a methodology for studying dreams in a “prolucid" state. Using several simple principles and techniques, the therapist aids the client in reliving the dream experience and maintaining focused attention on its imagery elements. An annotated transcript of an actual dream analysis illustrates the “dream-centered" methodology and the valuable results of the dream experience.
Forensic Psych by Jerry L Jennings
After 60 years of non-critical silence, Freud's Dora became the target of a surge of publications... more After 60 years of non-critical silence, Freud's Dora became the target of a surge of publications in the 1970s and 1980s that criticized his mismanagement of his adolescent patient. Jennings (1986) showed how this "Dora revival" was fueled by a revolutionary change in attitude toward countertransference and new understanding of adolescent development. In retrospect, the "revival" was just the start of a "Dora Wellspring" of over 200 publications about the case. Further, the most dominant and enduring theme in Dora literature has become the question of feminine psychosexual development and identity. This article reveals the crucial, albeit indirect and delayed, impact of Jacque Lacan's "return to Freud" in the 1950s, which brought Dora and hysteria to the attention of the early French feminists, who transformed Dora into a case exemplar for their deconstruction of male patriarchy. In turn, Dora was reexamined by dozens of psychoanalysts and writers, mostly female, seeking to develop a viable theory of feminine psychosexual development in the 1980s and 1990s. This discourse stimulated another surge of publications in the new century that have sought new insights by reexamining Freud's thinking in the Dora period and by directly applying Lacanian concepts to contemporary thinking about gender and trauma.
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Philosophy & Psych by Jerry L Jennings
Dream Analysis by Jerry L Jennings
analysis of segments within whole dreams; and (5) collecting naïve self-interpretive impressions that can facilitate identification of metaphors and schemas across the dream/waking continuum. In support of the “continuity” required for both theories, this single-case series analysis of 22 dreams (subdivided into 74 dream segments) found 30% of dream
content could be connected to waking life referents occurring in the preceding day, 50% within a week and 70% within 2 weeks. Most importantly, the proposed methodology yields the type of direct experiential data that can go beyond the mere question of “what” we dream about to seeing “how” dream consciousness incorporates waking life experiences in generating meaningful perceptions and alternative perspectives that can have practical and creative utility for living.
Forensic Psych by Jerry L Jennings
analysis of segments within whole dreams; and (5) collecting naïve self-interpretive impressions that can facilitate identification of metaphors and schemas across the dream/waking continuum. In support of the “continuity” required for both theories, this single-case series analysis of 22 dreams (subdivided into 74 dream segments) found 30% of dream
content could be connected to waking life referents occurring in the preceding day, 50% within a week and 70% within 2 weeks. Most importantly, the proposed methodology yields the type of direct experiential data that can go beyond the mere question of “what” we dream about to seeing “how” dream consciousness incorporates waking life experiences in generating meaningful perceptions and alternative perspectives that can have practical and creative utility for living.
The fascinating details of this infamous case – and the true motivations behind Heidnik’s atrocities are described by Dr. Jerry L. Jennings in his co-authored book, Breaking the Silence of the Lambs.
studies, it appears that the field is converging on the conclusion that ACT may have a positive impact on mental health for forensic patients, but that it is probably ineffective or minimally effective in reducing criminal recidivism. The author argues that emerging research from the “forensic continuum of care model” and correctional re-entry treatment programs suggests that the community aftercare component is vital with offending populations and that aftercare programs like ACT can be enhanced by a “pre-treatment” residential treatment precursor. Specifically, the provision of enriched or extended residential treatment – in which forensic patients have adequate time to learn, practice and master life management skills – can maximize the effectiveness of follow-up ACT. Most FACT and FICM approaches have lacked this “continuum” feature.
group-based treatment programs for adolescent and adult males. The workbook complements and augments your overall treatment and group
work by preparing clients to enter group therapy with hope rather than apprehension and by motivating them to engage sooner and more meaningfully in treatment, especially in the early period of treatment. -- including sex offense-specific, domestic violence, anger management, . This workbook can be used in outpatient, residential, inpatient, correctional, and forensic settings and for multiple types of group-based treatment programs, including treatment for substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, mental health, and anger management.
-- How to utilize the unique power of group relationships and group cohesion to achieve therapeutic growth for individual group members
-- Sound, practical guidelines for facilitating groups in the powerful mode of “group-centered” group therapy
-- includes dozens of case examples based on the authors’ many years of practice
Readers are recommended to the following three articles for a comprehensive historical/clinical/ cultural overview of the Dora case and its significance, which describes the content and context of many of these publications.
Jennings, J. (2022). Freud’s case of Dora: Wellspring of discovery and discourse. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 10(1), 290-314.
Jennings, J. (1986). The revival of “Dora”: Advances in psychoanalytic theory and technique. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association 34(3), 607-635.
Jennings, J. (2022). Dreams without disguise: Using Freud’s case of Dora to demonstrate a radically client-centered approach to dreams. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 63(0), 1-23.