Lacan vs. Michael White

Attribute	Lacan	Michael White
Concept of self	Subjectivity is fragmented and shaped by language and the unconscious	Self is constructed through social interactions and narratives
Role of language	Language structures reality and shapes subjectivity	Language is used to construct meaning and shape identities
Therapeutic approach	Focuses on uncovering unconscious desires and conflicts	Uses narrative therapy to deconstruct dominant narratives and create new ones
View on truth	Truth is subjective and constructed through language	Truth is multiple and context-dependent

Lacan's Attributes

Jacques Lacan was a French psychoanalyst who made significant contributions to the field of psychology. One of Lacan's key attributes was his emphasis on the role of language and communication in shaping an individual's psyche. He believed that language was central to the formation of identity and that unconscious desires could be revealed through linguistic analysis.

Another important aspect of Lacan's work was his concept of the "mirror stage," which described how individuals develop a sense of self through their interactions with others. This idea highlighted the importance of social relationships in shaping an individual's sense of identity.

Lacan also introduced the concept of the "symbolic order," which referred to the system of language and symbols that governs human behavior. He believed that individuals are subject to the rules and norms of the symbolic order, which can influence their thoughts and actions.

Overall, Lacan's work emphasized the importance of language, communication, and social relationships in understanding the human psyche.

Michael White's Attributes

Michael White was an Australian social worker and therapist who developed the approach known as narrative therapy. One of White's key attributes was his focus on the power of storytelling in shaping an individual's sense of self and identity. He believed that individuals could rewrite their life stories to create new meanings and possibilities.

White also emphasized the importance of externalizing problems, which involved separating the issue from the individual and viewing it as a separate entity. This approach allowed individuals to gain perspective on their problems and explore new ways of addressing them.

Another important aspect of White's work was his emphasis on the collaborative nature of therapy. He believed that therapy should be a partnership between the therapist and the client, with both parties working together to create new narratives and possibilities.

Overall, White's work focused on the power of storytelling, externalizing problems, and collaborative therapy in helping individuals create new meanings and possibilities in their lives.

Comparing Lacan and Michael White

While Lacan and Michael White both made significant contributions to the field of psychology, they had different approaches and emphases in their work. Lacan focused on the role of language and communication in shaping the human psyche, while White emphasized the power of storytelling and collaborative therapy in creating new meanings and possibilities.

One key difference between Lacan and White is their views on the individual's sense of self. Lacan believed that identity was shaped by language and social relationships, while White emphasized the individual's ability to rewrite their life story and create new meanings for themselves.

Another difference between Lacan and White is their approaches to therapy. Lacan's work was rooted in psychoanalysis and the interpretation of unconscious desires, while White's approach involved externalizing problems and collaboratively creating new narratives with clients.

Despite these differences, both Lacan and White shared a common goal of helping individuals understand themselves better and create new possibilities for growth and change. Their work continues to influence the field of psychology and therapy today.