On the professionalization of criminal psychiatry: a strategy without a subject

Waalewijn, Xander (2022) On the professionalization of criminal psychiatry: a strategy without a subject. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

In this thesis, the discourse-oriented model will be contrasted with the profession-oriented model. While both Foucault and Goldstein, although in differing ways, refer to homicidal monomania as crucial to the birth of early psychiatry – I will not treat it as such. Nor will I argue for or against either one of the models. Instead, I will allow the two models to talk to each other, using the debate as a tool to cast light on an aspect of Foucault's writings that has often been misrepresented by historians of psychiatry and psychology. Instead of viewing the professionalization of psychiatry as a parasitic relationship where psychiatry is taking advantage of the system of law in order to gain public recognition, I will argue for a mutualistic relationship between law and psychiatry. Contrary to the usual way historians of psychiatry read Foucault, the profession-oriented model and the discourse-oriented model are not compatible. What follows from the mutualistic relation between law and psychiatry, is a power dynamic which constructs a new kind of criminal. Foucault actively sought to subordinate the role of professional self-interest, in favor of a psychiatric professionalization without a subject. As opposed to a historical perspective which imposes motives on its actors, Foucault provides us the mental tools to start thinking of psychiatric professionalization as a structural process which imposes forced choice on its actors – the psychiatrists as well as the judges, lawyers and magistrates had to maneuver out of necessity for preservation of their discipline. However, this aspect of forced choice is hard to see without a contrasting view. Goldstein provides that view: in the negative space between the profession-oriented model and the discourse-oriented model we find this aspect of a strategy without a subject. As a function of Foucault's approach, individual people are a component of the structures of ‘the social body’. It is this aspect of Foucault that I am aiming to bring to light.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	J.T., J.T. and Derksen, M.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Reflecting on Psychology (RP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	01 Sep 2022 12:33
Last Modified:	01 Sep 2022 12:33
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1397

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