The study of emotion is remarkably broad in its scope for anthropological concern, and the numerous influencing factors involved in it are invariably diverse. One factor that must not be underestimated is that of memory. It can be said that the two are interrelated through the influencing effect each has on the other, as will be expanded upon throughout this essay, as I dissect what I recognise as the most important elements of this memory-emotion connection.
First, is the notion of “collective memory”, and the influence of individual perception and identity within it. Also, I wish to examine the role of memory and emotion in the processes of trauma and reconstruction. In order to bring context to each of these areas, I will relate them to two main ethnographic case studies. The first is that of the maltreatment of Sudeten Germans and their displacement from Czechoslovakia, as researched by Svašek (2005). The second is a study by James (1997) who investigated fear in a transit camp for Sudanese asylum-seekers in South-West Ethiopia. Whilst focusing primarily on these, I will also make reference to Hinan’s study of collective memory and reconciliation in Guatemala and Rwanda (2010). Throughout this essay, with reference to these studies and other relevant research, I intend to clearly outline the significant relationship between memory and emotions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Collective Memory and Identity
3. Shared Victimhood and Chosen Trauma
4. Intergenerational Transmission of Loss
5. Post-Conflict Reparative Strategies
6. Trauma, Fear, and Violence
7. Reconciliation and the Acknowledgement of Memory
8. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay explores the complex, interdependent relationship between memory and emotions, specifically examining how these elements shape individual and collective identity, influence perceptions of truth, and function within processes of trauma and post-conflict reconciliation.
- The role of collective memory in forming group identity.
- The concept of "chosen trauma" and its transmission across generations.
- The influence of memory and fear on violent conflict.
- The necessity of acknowledging memory for successful post-conflict reconstruction.
- Comparative analysis of ethnographic studies in Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Rwanda.
Excerpt from the Book
The Politics of Chosen Trauma
In more recent times, several organisations have been established which seek to recognise and appreciate the loss and oppression that the Sudeten expellees endured. It is through these, in part, that Svašek suggests an element of collective memory is established; “in some of these organizations, 'shared victimhood' forms the main raison d'etre”. Svašek explains that this process of “shared victimhood” is linked to a concept known as “chosen trauma”, coined by psychiatrist Vamik Volkan (1999) who sought to analyse the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Volkan argued that it is “more than a simple recollection; it is a shared mental representation of the event, which includes realistic information, fantasized expectations, intense feelings and defences against unacceptable thoughts” (1999:46). Moreover, it refers to a shared, adopted mind-set that acts as identification of a group, founded upon a traumatic event. The group does not choose to be traumatised, but they choose to install significance upon the incident; “what becomes important is the fact that the group carries the mental representation of the traumatic event” (Volkan, Berlin Meeting, 2004), the actual reality of the event loses importance. This concept is rooted in the emotional association applied to memories, but also the individual perception of memory, suggested through the term “fantasized expectations” (1999:46).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the scope of the essay and outlines the core relationship between memory and emotions using ethnographic case studies.
2. Collective Memory and Identity: Discusses how memory shapes individual perception and identity, referencing the experiences of Sudeten German expellees.
3. Shared Victimhood and Chosen Trauma: Explains the psychological concept of "chosen trauma" and how groups assign significance to past traumatic events.
4. Intergenerational Transmission of Loss: Analyzes how traumatic memory is projected onto future generations through emotional and practical ties.
5. Post-Conflict Reparative Strategies: Compares post-conflict efforts in Guatemala and Rwanda, highlighting the role of truth-telling versus state-enforced silence.
6. Trauma, Fear, and Violence: Investigates the link between historical memory of fear and spontaneous acts of violence in a refugee transit camp.
7. Reconciliation and the Acknowledgement of Memory: Explores the role of mourning and memory in the rebuilding process following collective trauma.
8. Conclusion: Summarizes the essay's findings, reaffirming the deep link between memory, emotion, identity, and societal reconciliation.
Keywords
Memory, Emotion, Collective Memory, Identity, Chosen Trauma, Intergenerational Transmission, Reconciliation, Trauma, Displacement, Truth, Victimhood, Anthropology, Conflict, Narrative, Reconstruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines the deep, interdependent relationship between memory and emotion and how these two forces shape human experience and societal outcomes.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the construction of collective memory, the psychology of chosen trauma, the transmission of loss across generations, and the role of memory in post-conflict reconciliation.
What is the core research objective?
The goal is to demonstrate how memory and emotions interact to influence individual and group identity, affect the perception of truth, and drive processes of trauma and recovery.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative approach, analyzing existing anthropological and ethnographic case studies to extract and compare findings related to memory, trauma, and identity.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The body analyzes specific ethnographic cases—including the displacement of Sudeten Germans and the experience of Sudanese refugees—to illustrate how emotional associations with memory dictate group behavior and post-conflict healing.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Essential keywords include Collective Memory, Identity, Chosen Trauma, Intergenerational Transmission, and Reconciliation.
How does "chosen trauma" affect group dynamics?
According to the author, "chosen trauma" allows a group to form a shared identity based on a traumatic past, often prioritizing the mental representation of an event over its objective historical reality.
What role does emotion play in the context of the Sudanese refugee case study?
The paper suggests that heightened emotions, drawn from long-standing memories of fear and danger, acted as a catalyst for spontaneous acts of violence among the refugee groups.
How is the concept of "truth" challenged in the essay?
The essay explores the distinction between historical truth and the "truth" of personal experience, arguing that collective memory often creates a subjective narrative that is more influential for identity than objective history.
What distinction does the author make between the cases of Guatemala and Rwanda?
The author highlights that while Guatemala utilized storytelling and testimonies to foster reconciliation, Rwanda’s "government-constructed narrative" relied on "chosen amnesia," which the author argues hinders the rebuilding process.
- Quote paper
- Timothy McGlinchey (Author), 2014, The relationship between memory and emotions within the process of trauma and reconstruction, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/322764
