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Book Chapters by Christopher Bell

A Critical Introduction to Psychology, 2019

Bell, C. (2019). Critical Perspectives on Personality and Subjectivity. In Robert K. Beshara (Ed.... more Bell, C. (2019). Critical Perspectives on Personality and Subjectivity. In Robert K. Beshara (Ed.) A Critical Introduction to Psychology, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

Single Authored Papers by Christopher Bell

Theory & Psychology, 2022

Bell, C. (2022). Beyond the Specific Factors vs. Common Factors Debate: Lacan’s Four Discourses I... more Bell, C. (2022). Beyond the Specific Factors vs. Common Factors Debate: Lacan’s Four Discourses Informing Wampold and Imel’s Contextual Model of Psychotherapy Efficacy. Theory & Psychology, 32(3), 423-442. https://doi.org/10.1177/09593543221083580

This article reviews the concepts of Alienation and Separation as two distinct "logical moments" ... more This article reviews the concepts of Alienation and Separation as two distinct "logical moments" constitutive of subjectivity as theorized by Jacques Lacan. These logical moments, mediated by the materiality of language and enabling subjective orientations to the Other, are to be regarded as distinct psychical events that fundamentally structure a person's relation to the dimension of the Other, and without which linguistic subjectivity -becoming a subject of language -would not be possible. It is emphasized here that these events are by no means an inevitable sequence in a natural developmental teleology but are rather contingent occurrences related to both the underlying cognitive capacities of a young child and to the specific nature of the child -caregiver relationship.

Co-Authored Papers by Christopher Bell

Awry, Journal of Critical Psychology, 2022

The following is an interview with Dr. Luke S. Ogasawara, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and direct... more The following is an interview with Dr. Luke S. Ogasawara, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and director of the Tokyo Lacan School. Dr. Ogasawara studied psychoanalysis in London and Paris during the 1980’s and obtained a Diplôme d’études approfondies (DEA) from the Département de psychanalyse - Université de Paris VIII in 1988. In this interview I (Chris Bell) speak with Dr. Ogasawara about Lacan’s comments on the possibility of conducting psychoanalysis in the Japanese language, apophatic ontology as a foundation of psychoanalysis, the concept of sublimation in Lacanian psychoanalysis, the effect of globalization on the Japanese language, and mental health in Japan.

As with any number of clinical ‘schools’ and approaches, Lacanian psychoanalysts encounter indivi... more As with any number of clinical ‘schools’ and approaches, Lacanian psychoanalysts encounter individuals whose presenting complaint is drug addiction. Psychoanalysis has often been underestimated in its effectiveness in treating addiction, data for other approaches being less stellar than often realized. Within the Lacanian orientation, addiction has been widely addressed, not as a specific syndrome but as a symptom with implications for the frame of the psychoanalytic work. In such Lacanian formulations, both clinical and cultural contexts are examined in disentangling the effects of drug use for addicted persons and within the social ideals, representations and prohibitions that undergird the value and significance of drug use in any given culture. Formal elements and functions of the process and products of speaking within psychoanalytic work inform Lacanian clinical practice. These elements can be discerned within individuals’ desires and speech and within the social contract. Lacanian concepts of subjectivity necessarily interact with the traditions and meanings inherent to Western societies. Such elements may be posited as the aftermath of the social necessity of speech, a process that fundamentally informs subjectivity. This article illustrates – using analysis of recent technological inventions – fantasies about technology, cultural representations of technology, and important parallels between technology and addiction. The authors take a psychoanalytic look at technology through current Lacanian clinical thinking on the subjective structure related to addiction.

Dissertation Conclusion by Christopher Bell

The present dissertation is a qualitative inquiry into the differences in experiences of change ... more The present dissertation is a qualitative inquiry into the differences in experiences of change in distinct, or even contrary, modalities of psychotherapy—Psychoanalysis (PSA)/Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PDT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). As such, the investigation speaks to the actual effects of a given therapeutic approach in the words and narratives of the patients/analysands/clients. The very intention of such research crosses a number of theoretic debates within clinical psychology that have dogged the therapeutic field and show no signs of abatement any time soon. This research aimed to apply the results derived from empirical data regarding the above psychotherapy modalities to the question of Specific Factors vs. Common Factors and attempted to delineate the impact of interventions in what, as is shown below, must be understood in a Contextual model of psychotherapy that allows for a more nuanced consideration of differences in therapeutic relationships. What I conclude from my data indicates that a Contextual model, specifically that proposed by Butler and Strupp, supersedes the Specific Factors vs. Common Factors dichotomy in its explanatory value for understanding processes of therapeutic change.

Dissertation Defense by Christopher Bell

This dissertation explores personal experiences of change occurring in two psychotherapy modaliti... more This dissertation explores personal experiences of change occurring in two psychotherapy modalities—Psychoanalysis (PSA)/Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PDT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—from a theoretically informed qualitative research perspective. It seeks to reframe the longstanding debate between Specific Factors and Common Factors as the “active ingredients” involved in bringing about beneficial change in psychotherapy.

Drafts by Christopher Bell

Jacques Lacan’s (2007) elaboration of a quaternary theory of discourses as social links in his 1... more Jacques Lacan’s (2007) elaboration of a quaternary theory of discourses as social links in
his 1969-1970 Seminar XVII: The Other Side of Psychoanalysis, which he named the discourses of the Master, University, Hysteric, and Analyst, introduced a new way to theorize human relationships based upon how a Speaker and a Receiver of speech are differentially positioned within contexts of communication.

Despite their different theoretical orientations and the many battles they have waged with each o... more Despite their different theoretical orientations and the many battles they have waged with each other over therapeutic hegemony, PSA/PDT and CBT, have often been considered similar regarding their perceived emphasis on the use of therapeutic techniques—as opposed to a focus on the therapeutic relationship—to precipitate changes, however different these techniques may be (Wampold & Imel, 2015).

The objective of this article is to chart the emergence of a Contextual Model in psychotherapy re... more The objective of this article is to chart the emergence of a Contextual Model in psychotherapy research from the Specific Factors vs. Common Factors debate. This article is theoretically and historically focused, and considers conceptual paradigms used in empirical research. The article begins by first considering the Medical Model/Specific Factors model as the dominant research paradigm in psychotherapy efficacy studies, and subsequently reviews some of the history of the Specific Factors vs. Common Factors debate, before considering the Contextual Model of psychotherapy proposed by Wamplod and Imel (2015) and a possible alternative and/or supplement to this model in a Contextual model originally elaborated by Butler and Strupp (1986).

Thesis by Christopher Bell

Subjectivity, Agency, Truth: Lacan / Badiou stages a confrontation between the psychoanalyst Jacq... more Subjectivity, Agency, Truth: Lacan / Badiou stages a confrontation between the psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan and the philosopher Alain Badiou with respect to these three intrinsically linked, even mutually constitutive concepts.

Translation by Christopher Bell

Let us start with this thesis of Lacan's in order to measure its consequences: a psychotic person... more Let us start with this thesis of Lacan's in order to measure its consequences: a psychotic person is not outside of language but rather "outside-discourse." The distinction between neurosis, which is inside a discourse, and psychosis outside-discourse -the two being within language -reactivates the distinction made by Lacan beginning from Seminar XI between the two operations that define the causation of the subject: Alienation and Separation. As to the question of knowing how to situate this second distinction, alienation / separation, in relation to the distinction inside-discourse / outside-discourse, we can respond directly that the inscription in a discourse supposes the operation of separation. If the inscription in a discourse is conditioned by this operation of separation, and separation is itself conditioned by the Name-of-the-Father, the implication is that the outside-discourse of psychosis can be correlated with its installation in the field of alienation. The question is then that of autism. Allow me to specify in advance that I do not believe in such a thing as pure autism -Margret Mahler agrees on this point. It is always a case of a "mixed" occurrence wherein autism constitutes one pole of this mixture. Once this restriction is established, autism can be situated on one side of alienation: as a refusal to enter it, as a "halting at its border."

Journal "Language and Psychoanalysis" by Christopher Bell

Language and Psychoanalysis, 2018

Following detailed presentation of the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT), there is the o... more Following detailed presentation of the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT), there is the objective of relevant methods for what has been described as verbalization and visualization of data. Such is also termed data mining and text mining, and knowledge discovery in data. The Correspondence Analysis methodology, also termed Geometric Data Analysis, is shown in a case study to be comprehensive and revealing. Quite innovative here is how the analysis process is structured. For both illustrative and revealing aspects of the case study here, relatively extensive dream reports are used. The dream reports are from an open source repository of dream reports, and the current study proposes a possible framework for the analysis of dream report narratives, and further, how such an analysis could be relevant within the psychotherapeutic context. This Geometric Data Analysis here confirms the validity of CCRT method.

The journal of Language and Psychoanalysis is a fully peer reviewed online journal that publishes... more The journal of Language and Psychoanalysis is a fully peer reviewed online journal that publishes twice a year. It is the only interdisciplinary journal with a strong focus on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of language and psychoanalysis. The journal is also inclusive and not narrowly confined to the Freudian psychoanalytic theory.

Teaching Documents by Christopher Bell

This course examines the influence of neoliberal economic doctrine on contemporary culture and co... more This course examines the influence of neoliberal economic doctrine on contemporary culture and considers the cultural implications of neoliberalism’s recent decline. As such, the course considers the distinctive social and psychological characteristics of neoliberal culture and possible alternative conceptions of the social and forms of subjectivity in the 21st century. Neoliberalism is a contested signifier that designates both an economic philosophy / program and a cascade of cultural changes that began coalescing and accelerating in the early 1980's and has continued to exert an influence that has only recently been challenged by the resurgence of nationalism ushered in by the Trump era which has reverberated across the globe. Over the course of its development, neoliberalism has had widespread impact not only as an economic program that spurred and intensified globalization but also as a cultural ideology that has influenced self-concept and modes of social relating. This course focuses on the concept of human subjectivity and how subjectivity appears within a neoliberal horizon. The critical psychologist Thomas Teo states, "society, culture, and history provide forms (molds) of subjectivity, whereby (developing) individuals have the agency to sometimes choose, expand or change forms, and in rare circumstances, they may even be able to transcend these forms. Under normal circumstances, however, humans adapt, (ful)fill, and actively 'suture' into these forms, allowing for variations and new actualizations." To elucidate the current cultural molds informing neoliberal subjectivity, the historical development of neoliberal economic doctrine and its implementations will be studied, followed by an examination of neoliberal cultural products (e.g. Serial TV and Social Media) considering both their content and form. Finally, the rise of populisms on the political right and left will be considered in relation to the effects of neoliberalism as well as what social and subjective alternatives exist within our current indeterminate conjuncture.

This is a course about neoliberal culture, its distinctive social and psychological characteristi... more This is a course about neoliberal culture, its distinctive social and psychological characteristics, and possible alternative conceptions of the social and forms of subjectivity in the 21st century. Neoliberalism is a contested signifier that designates both an economic program and a cascade of cultural changes that began coalescing and accelerating in the early 1980's and has continued to exert an influence that has only recently been challenged by the resurgence of nationalism ushered in by the Trump era which has reverberated across the globe. Over the course of its development, neoliberalism has had widespread ramifications not only as an economic doctrine that spurred and intensified globalization but also as a cultural ideology that has influenced self-concept and modes of social relating. This course focuses on the concept of human subjectivity and how subjectivity appears within a neoliberal horizon. The critical psychologist Thomas Teo states, "society, culture, and history provide forms (molds) of subjectivity, whereby (developing) individuals have the agency to sometimes choose, expand or change forms, and in rare circumstances, they may even be able to transcend these forms. Under normal circumstances, however, humans adapt, (ful)fill, and actively 'suture' into these forms, allowing for variations and new actualizations." To elucidate the current cultural molds informing neoliberal subjectivity, the historical development of neoliberal economic doctrine and its implementations will be studied, followed by an examination of neoliberal cultural products (e.g. Serial TV and Social Media) considering both their content and form. Finally, recent reactionary phenomena will be considered in relation to the effects of neoliberalism as well as what social and subjective alternatives exist within our current indeterminate conjuncture.

This is a course about neoliberalism, its social and psychological consequences, and possible alt... more This is a course about neoliberalism, its social and psychological consequences, and possible alternative conceptions of the social and forms of subjectivity in the 21st century. Neoliberalism is a contested signifier that designates both an economic program and a cascade of cultural changes that began coalescing and accelerating in the early 1980’s and has continued to exert an influence that has only recently been challenged by the resurgence of nationalism ushered in by the Trump era which has reverberated across the globe. Neoliberalism has had widespread ramifications not only as an economic doctrine that spurred and intensified globalization but also as a cultural ideology that has influenced self-concept and modes of social relating. This course focuses on the concept of human subjectivity and how subjectivity appears within a neoliberal horizon. The critical psychologist Thomas Teo states, "society, culture, and history provide forms (molds) of subjectivity, whereby (developing) individuals have the agency to sometimes choose, expand or change forms, and in rare circumstances, they may even be able to transcend these forms. Under normal circumstances, however, humans adapt, (ful)fill, and actively 'suture' into these forms, allowing for variations and new actualizations." To elucidate the current cultural molds informing neoliberal subjectivity, the historical development of neoliberal economic doctrine and its implementations will be studied, followed by an examination of neoliberal cultural products (e.g. Serial TV and Social Media) considering both their content and form. Finally, recent reactionary phenomena will be considered in relation to the effects of neoliberalism as well as what social and subjective alternatives exist within our current indeterminate conjuncture.

A Critical Introduction to Psychology, 2019

Theory & Psychology, 2022

Awry, Journal of Critical Psychology, 2022

Language and Psychoanalysis, 2018

Bell, C. (2022). Beyond the Specific Factors vs. Common Factors Debate: Lacan's Four Discourses I... more Bell, C. (2022). Beyond the Specific Factors vs. Common Factors Debate: Lacan's Four Discourses Informing Wampold and Imel's contextual model of psychotherapy efficacy. Theory & Psychology, 32(3), 423-442.

Work in progress, comments and suggestions welcome.

Evolutionary Psychology—the study of human cognition and behavior premised upon evolved adaptatio... more Evolutionary Psychology—the study of human cognition and behavior premised upon evolved adaptations resulting from the processes of natural and sexual selection—has emerged in recent years as a subfield of Psychology with aspirations to become a “metatheortical framework” from which questions in Psychology are best situated and pursued. An evolutionary perspective in Psychology focuses on hypothesized mental and behavioral traits/characteristics, in some notable cases gender specific, that have ostensibly evolved over hundreds of thousands of years, and continue to shape human behavior and mentality even in our modern physical and social environment that has taken us quite far from the environmental “conditions of possibility” under which we have evolved. Although Evolutionary Psychology has made some impressive inroads in considering such topics as, “problems of survival, long-term mating, sexuality, parenting, kinship, cooperation, aggression and warfare, conflict between the sexes, status, prestige, and dominance hierarchies” it is not without its increasingly concerned critics who contend that Evolutionary Psychology has in some important instances unjustifiably hypostasized modern environmental conditions as existing in our evolutionary pre-history, thereby deriving erroneous conclusions from a circular logic where the conclusion of gendered differences in mentality and behavior justifies the premises of research. The purpose of this course will be 1) to become familiar with and critically consider the fundamental premises and logic of Evolutionary Psychology as they are outlined in canonical sources, 2) to engage with emerging critiques of this field from recent scholarship in Cultural Studies as well as immanent critiques/alternative perspectives from within the field of Evolutionary Psychology itself, and 3) to imagine some possible paths forward that allow for creative visions on the relationship between necessity and contingency at the interstices of Nature and Culture.

Psychoanalysis appears little more than an anachronism within the context of modern Psychology, a... more Psychoanalysis appears little more than an anachronism within the context of modern Psychology, and yet it nonetheless is leading a surprising afterlife—at once defunct as an institutional player and yet at the vanguard of cultural theory and, increasingly, of clinical psychology practice. Arguably, only after the very demise of psychoanalysis as an institutional force can in it live on as a critical force within modern Psychology, thereby making good on perhaps what it was always meant to be—a practice of critical psychology. This course considers the trajectory of Psychoanalysis from its origins in Freud's curious leap of faith in the discovery of the talking cure to its present day manifestations in contemporary clinical practice. Psychoanalysis, it will be argued, is inherently a critical practice that uniquely situates the individual in relation to those social forces that have had the most decisive influence on their personal development, without reducing a person to their social context and/or family history. Detailed consideration will be given to three critical traditions that have intersected with psychoanalysis and at times have called psychoanalysis into question: Post-Colonial Studies, Feminism, and Marxism. The trajectory of psychoanalysis over the previous century and into the current one will be pursued from the perspective of these three critical traditions, as well as psychoanalysis itself as a theory and practice of critique. III. Relation To University, College & Departmental Values The course will incorporate these University values: 1) of caring in large and small contexts; 2) of collaboration; 3) of inclusiveness; 4) of innovation; 5) integrity is evident in our commitment to rigorous ethical standards in our classrooms and offices, in our conduct toward each other, and in service to our communities. This course is in line with the College Mission statement: The College of Social Sciences at-is committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service in the interest of promoting the public good. The College aims to provide students with an understanding of contemporary and historical

Bell, C. (2019). Psychotherapeutic Subjectivities: Experiences of Change in Psychoanalysis/Psycho... more Bell, C. (2019). Psychotherapeutic Subjectivities: Experiences of Change in Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Poster Presentation at the Psychology and the Other Conference, Boston College, Boston, MA.

Bell, C. (2019). Lacan with Cassirer: A new perspective on Symbolization and Separation. Paper pr... more Bell, C. (2019). Lacan with Cassirer: A new perspective on Symbolization and Separation. Paper presented at the Lack iii Conference, Clark University, Worcester, MA.

Bell, C. (2018). Music, Lalangue, and the Real Unconscious. Paper presented at the Žižek Studie... more Bell, C. (2018). Music, Lalangue, and the Real Unconscious. Paper presented at the Žižek
Studies Conference, Athens, GA.