Desire

Definition

Desire is a fundamental psychological and emotional drive that motivates individuals to seek fulfillment, pleasure, or satisfaction. It often operates beneath the surface of conscious awareness, influencing thoughts and behaviors in profound ways. This concept is especially significant in understanding human behavior, particularly in relation to unconscious desires and the theories proposed by influential thinkers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Desire is often viewed as a driving force behind human behavior and decision-making, shaping our goals and ambitions.
2. In psychoanalytic theory, unconscious desires are thought to be repressed feelings that can manifest through dreams, slips of the tongue, or neurotic symptoms.
3. Jacques Lacan reinterpreted Freud's ideas about desire, emphasizing that it is not merely about personal fulfillment but also about what is unattainable and elusive.
4. Lacan introduced the concept of 'objet petit a', which represents the unattainable object of desire that perpetuates longing rather than satisfaction.
5. Desire can create a tension between the self and society, as individuals navigate their own needs and wants against cultural expectations and norms.

Review Questions

• How do unconscious desires influence an individual's behavior according to psychoanalytic theory?
  • Unconscious desires play a critical role in shaping behavior by driving actions that individuals may not consciously understand. These desires are thought to be repressed feelings or urges that can influence thoughts and actions in subtle ways. For example, a person might experience anxiety or engage in self-sabotaging behaviors without realizing that these actions stem from unresolved unconscious desires.
• In what ways did Jacques Lacan's interpretation of desire differ from traditional Freudian concepts?
  • Jacques Lacan expanded upon Freud's concepts by introducing the idea that desire is not just about seeking fulfillment but also involves a perpetual longing for something unattainable. He emphasized the importance of language and symbolic structures in shaping desire, arguing that what we desire is often influenced by societal norms and expectations. Lacan’s notion of 'objet petit a' highlights how desire remains unfulfilled, creating an ongoing tension within individuals.
• Evaluate the implications of desire as a driving force in human behavior and its impact on individual identity within a cultural context.
  • Desire significantly shapes individual identity by influencing personal choices, aspirations, and relationships with others. In a cultural context, desires are often mediated by societal values and norms, which can create conflicts between personal wants and external expectations. The interplay of desire with cultural constructs can lead to both empowerment and alienation as individuals navigate their own yearnings while responding to societal pressures, ultimately impacting their sense of self and belonging.

Related terms

Unconscious: The part of the mind that is not accessible to conscious awareness, where thoughts, memories, and desires reside outside of our immediate perception.

Symbolic Order: A term used in psychoanalytic theory that refers to the social and linguistic structures that shape our identity and desires within culture.

Lust: A strong desire or craving for something, often linked specifically to sexual desire but can extend to other areas of life, such as ambition or material gain.