Dissociation in Late Modern America: A Defense Against Soul?

The term dissociation typically describes a psychological defense that protects the psyche from emotionally overwhelming events. However, dissociation can also contribute to the maintenance and restoration of relationships following traumatic stress and overwhelming social strain. Herein, two aspects of late modern American society are shown to interfere with dissociation’s contribution to social change: 1) the Enlightenment conception of human nature on which American democracy is based, and 2) America’s sharp distinctions between public and private spheres of life. Using research from human evolution, neuroscience, trauma studies, and Jungian psychology, Dissociation in Late Modern America shows how America has become dependent on dissociative defenses in everyday life, challenging the capacity for soulful connections and living.