Annihilation anxiety and crime

Dados Bibliográficos

ID5772622
AutoresRobin A Robinson (0000-0001-5834-7806, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth), D Gadd (0000-0002-0362-7648, University of Manchester)
Ano2015
Volume20
Fascículo2
Páginas185-204
Data de publicação2015-08-11
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoTheoretical Criminology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1362-4806 • E-ISSN: 1461-7439
EditoraSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1362480615594872
OpenAlexW2125742188
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas10
Referências citadas41

This article explores the psychoanalytic construct of annihilation anxiety in order to develop a more thoroughgoing engagement between criminological theory and contemporary psychoanalysis. Though a few criminologists have commented on crime, scapegoating and retribution using classic psychoanalytic ideas, we bring Hurvich's current empirical work on annihilation anxiety to the discourse. Beginning with his definition of annihilation anxiety as 'fears of being overwhelmed, merged, penetrated, fragmented, and destroyed', we apply Hurvich's measures to reactions to crime and insecurity and interpersonal, collective and international crime. We discuss doing criminology interpretively, applied to the dynamic connections between crime and reactions to it, including political and policy responses. We conclude that criminologists could and should help distinguish between potential and imminent threats, to advance a post-positivist approach to crime and other security threats. We argue that such an approach moves criminology toward a social science more humane and pragmatic for its conscious engagement with unconscious fears harboured amidst the purportedly rational calculi of justice

Cultural Criminology · Retributive justice · Scapegoating · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending