During a heated argument with his father, 15 year old Jason developed a paralysi

Question

During a heated argument with his father, 15 year old Jason developed a paralysis of his right arm. Medical examination can find no physical cause for the paralysis. Use the psychoanalytic perspective to explain how the paralysis may be Jason’s attempt to deal with an unconscious conflict between his id and superego. During a heated argument with his father, 15 year old Jason developed a paralysis of his right arm. Medical examination can find no physical cause for the paralysis. Use the psychoanalytic perspective to explain how the paralysis may be Jason’s attempt to deal with an unconscious conflict between his id and superego.

Explanation / Answer

Jason’s paralysis of his right arm represent a symptom of somatoform disorder, earlier referred to as conversion disorder. In this disorder, psychological conflicts are manifested in the form of physical impairments. The heated argument that occurred between Jason and his father may have left a deep impact on Jason, and the resulting feelings of guilt and anxiety are made apparent from his right hand paralysis.

Furthermore, this symptom, at the unconscious level represents the conflict between his id and superego. While his father, as a figure of authority symbolises the superego, Jason’s id is the amalagamation of his sexual or aggressive desires. We can infer thus that the argument between the two parties maybe related to Jason’s expression of innate desires and what is morally appropriate.

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