Stephen Frosh, B.A. (Sussex), M.Phil., Ph.D. (Lond)
Professor of Psychology & Pro-Vice-Master
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020 7631 6213 (tel) Birkbeck College Malet Street London WC1E 7HX |
Psychoanalysis, psychotherapy and cultural processes; psychosocial research methods.
Research
My work has focused on the psychological, social and cultural applications of psychoanalytic theory, paying particular attention to issues of gender and identity and of their relationship to developments in social life, and more recently to questions of otherness and racist hate. Work on masculinities, child sexual abuse, anti-Semitism, postmodernism, family therapy and psychoanalytic theory has all derived from these central themes. Several books in the last few years reflect different aspects of my research. For and Against Psychoanalysis, which appeared in a second edition in 2006, has received wide recognition as a major contribution to debates on the standing of psychoanalysis. An earlier book exploring the social implications of psychoanalytic theory, The Politics of Psychoanalysis, was published in a completely revised second edition in 1999. Hate and the ‘Jewish Science’ (2005) explores the legacies of Jewish identity and anti-Semitism within psychoanalysis, including an examination of the psychoanalytic movement in Germany during and after the Nazi period as well as a critical study of psychoanalytic theories of anti-Semitism. After Words (2002) is a collection of essays on masculinity, psychotherapy and discursive psychology; and Key Concepts in Psychoanalysis is a more introductory work (for the British Library) including short essays on some major psychoanalytic ideas. I have also been involved in empirical research from within the new field of critical discursive psychology. Young Masculinities (2002, jointly with Ann Phoenix and Rob Pattman) describes a qualitative psychological research project along these lines with teenage boys in London schools, focusing on the issues facing these boys in their families, peer contexts and schools. Critical Narrative Analysis (2004, with Peter Emerson) provides an account of this mode of qualitative research, applied here particularly to research with sexually abusive boys. My current research interests are in critical psychoanalysis, contemporary identities and the applications of psychoanalytic theory, as well as in qualitative research methodologies.
I am Head of the Department of Psychosocial Studies and Programme Director for the MSc in Group Analysis. I have a large number of PhD students working in theoretical and qualitative psychology, with topics including psychoanalysis, adult parenting relationships, and gender. Recent successful PhDs include studies of maternal subjectivity, adult brother relationships, forensic mental health settings, migration and psychotherapeutic identities.
I am currently Pro-Vice-Master of Birkbeck, with particular responsibility for Research.
Publications
Books
Frosh, S. (2006). For and against Psychoanalysis. Second Edition London: Routledge (first edition 1997)
Frosh, S. (2005). Hate and the Jewish Science: Anti-Semitism, Nazism and Psychoanalysis. London: Palgrave
Emerson, P., & Frosh, S. (2004). Critical narrative analysis . London: Palgrave (revised edition 2009)
Frosh, S. (2002). Key concepts in Psychoanalysis London: The British Library.New York: New York University Press
Frosh, S. (2002). After words: The personal in gender, culture and Psychotherapy. London: Palgrave
Frosh, S., Phoenix, A., & Pattman, R. (2002). Young masculinities: Understanding boys in contemporary society. London: Palgrave
Frosh, S. (1999) The Politics of Psychoanalysis London: Palgrave/Macmillan (first edition 1987)
Frosh, S. (1994) Sexual Difference: Masculinity and Psychoanalysis London and New York: Routledge
Glaser, D. & Frosh, S. (1993) Child Sexual Abuse -Second Edition London: BASW/Macmillan; Toronto: Toronto University Press; Polish translation, Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Lekaeskie PZWL, 1995 (first edition 1988)
Frosh, S. (1991) Identity Crisis: Modernity, Psychoanalysis and the Self London: MacMillan; New York: Routledge
Frosh, S. (1989) Psychoanalysis and Psychology: Minding the Gap London: Macmillan; New York: New York University Press
Banton, R., Clifford, P., Frosh, S., Lousada, J. & Rosenthall, J. (1985) The Politics of Mental Health London: Macmillan
Recent Journal Articles
Saville Young, L. And Frosh, S. (forthcoming) ‘And where were your brothers in all this?’: A Psychosocial Approach to Texts on ‘Brothering’ Qualitative Research
Saville Young, L. and Frosh, S. (2009) Discourse and Psychoanalysis: Translating Concepts into ‘Fragmenting’ Methodology. Psychology in Society, 38, 1-16
Frosh, S. (2009) Where did Class Go? Psychoanalysis and Social Identities. Sitegeist, 3, 99-116
Frosh, S. (2009) Promised Land or Permitted Land: a Consideration of Jewish Fundamentalism in the light of Levinasian Ethics. Psychoanalysis and History, 11, 209-224Frosh, S. and Baraitser, L. (2008) Psychoanalysis and Psychosocial Studies. Psychoanalysis, Culture and Society, 13, 346–365
Frosh, S. (2008) On Negative Critique: A Reply Psychoanalysis, Culture and Society, 13, 416–422
Frosh, S. (2008) Desire, Demand and Psychotherapy: On Large Groups and Neighbours Psychotherapy and Politics International, 6, 185-197
Frosh, S. (2008) Elementals and Affects or On Making Contact with Others Subjectivity, 24, 314-324
Frosh, S. (2008) Freud and Jewish Identity. Theory and Psychology, 18, 167-178
Frosh, S. and Baraitser, L. (2008) Marginalia. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 5, 1–9
Baraitser, L. and Frosh, S. (2007) Affect and Encounter in Psychoanalysis. Critical Psychology, 21, 76-93.
Frosh, S. (2007) Disintegrating Qualitative Research Theory and Psychology, 17, 635–653
Frosh, S. (2007) Facing Political Truths. Psychotherapy and Politics International, 5, 29-36
Frosh, S. (2006) Melancholy without the Other Studies in Gender and Sexuality, 7, 363-378
Pattman, R., Frosh, S. and Phoenix, A. (2005) Constructing and Experiencing Boyhoods in Research in London Gender and Education, 17, 555-561
Frosh, S., Phoenix, A. and Pattman, R. (2005) Struggling towards Manhood: Narratives of Homophobia and Fathering British Journal of Psychotherapy, 22, 37-56
Frosh, S., Loewenthal, C., Lindsey, C. and Spitzer, E. (2005) Prevalence of Emotional and Behavioural Disorders among Strictly Orthodox Jewish Children in London Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 10, 351-368
Frosh, S. (2005) Fragments of Jewish Identity American Imago, 62, 179-192
Frosh, S. (2005) Jung and the Nazis: Some Implications for Psychoanalysis Psychoanalysis and History, 7, 253-271
Frosh, S. and Emerson, P. (2005) Interpretation and Over-Interpretation: Disputing the Meaning of Texts Qualitative Research, 5, 307-324
Abela, A., Frosh, S. and Dowling, E. (2005) Uncovering beliefs embedded in the culture and its implications for practice: The case of Maltese married couples Journal of Family Therapy 27, 3-23
Frosh, S. (2004) Freud, Psychoanalysis and Anti-Semitism The Psychoanalytic Review, 91, 309-330
Frosh, S. (2004) A.S. Byatt in conversation with Stephen Frosh. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 77 145-159
Frosh, S. (2004) Echoes of the Ordinary: Commentary on conversation between Nick Hornby and Simon Thomas Psychology and Psychotherapy, 77, 181-184.
Frosh, S. (2004) The Voice of the Dead: Commentary on The Voice, Language and the Gendered Self, by Cornelia St John Studies in Gender and Sexuality, 5, 443-457
Frosh, S. and Baraitser, L. (2003) Thinking, Recognition and Otherness. The Psychoanalytic Review, 90 771‑789
Frosh, S. (2003) Psychosocial Studies and Psychology: Is a Critical Approach Emerging? Human Relations, 56, 1547-1567
Frosh, S. (2003) Psychoanalysis, Nazism and ‘Jewish Science’. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 84, 1315-1332
Frosh, S., Phoenix, A. and Pattman, R. (2003) Taking a Stand: Using Psychoanalysis to Explore the Positioning of Subjects in Discourse British Journal of Social Psychology, 42, 39-53
Lindsey, C., Frosh, S., Loewenthal, C. and Spitzer, E. (2003) Prevalence of Emotional and Behavioural Disorders among Strictly Orthodox Jewish Pre-school Children in London. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 8, 459-472
Phoenix, A., Frosh, S. and Pattman, R. (2003) Producing contradictory masculine subject positions: Producing narratives of threat, homophobia and bullying in 11-14 year old boys. Journal of Social Issues, 59, 179-195
Frosh, S. (2003) Psychoanalysis and the Politics of Psychotherapy. International Journal of Critical Psychology, 7, 155-158
Frosh, S. (2002) The Other American Imago, 59, 389-407
Frosh, S. (2002) Enjoyment, Bigotry, Discourse and Cognition British Journal of Social Psychology, 41, 189-193
Phoenix, A., Frosh S. and Pattman, R. (2002) Como se Negocia una Posicion de Sujeto Intermedia Nomadas, 16, 28-39
Frosh, S. (2001) On Reason, Discourse and Fantasy American Imago, 58, 627-647
Emerson, P. and Frosh, S. (2001) Young Masculinities and Sexual Abuse: Research Contestations International Journal of Critical Psychology, 3, 72-93
Phoenix, A. and Frosh, S. (2001) Positioned by ‘Hegemonic’ Masculinities: A Study of London Boys’ Narratives of Identity Australian Psychologist, 36, 27-35
Frosh, S. (2001) Freud and Jewish Dreaming. Psychoanalysis and History, 3, 18-27
Frosh, S. (2001) Things that can’t be said: Psychoanalysis and the Limits of Language. International Journal of Critical Psychology, 1, 28-46
Recent Book Chapters
Frosh, S. (forthcoming) The Re-Enactment of Denial. In S. Alexander and B. Taylor (eds) Clio’s Dream: Encounters between Psychoanalysis and History London: Palgrave
Frosh, S. and Saville Young, L. (forthcoming) The Psychoanalytic Psychosocial. In J. Mason and A. Dale (eds) Social Researching: New Perspectives on Methods London: Sage
Frosh, S. (forthcoming) ‘Foreignness is the quality which the Jews and one’s own instincts have in common’: Anti-Semitism, Identity and the Other. In L. Aron and L. Henik (eds) Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Jewish Thought NY: Academic Studies Press.
Frosh, S. (forthcoming) Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Identity: From Ego to Ethics. In M. Wetherell and C. Mohanty (eds) The Sage Handbook of Identities London: Sage
Frosh, S. (2009) Everyone Longs for a Master: Lacan and 1968. In G. Bhambra and I. Demir (eds) 1968 in Retrospect: History, Politics, Alterity London: Palgrave
Frosh, S. (2009) What does the Other Want? In C. Flaskas and D. Pocock (eds) Systems And Psychoanalysis: Contemporary Integrations In Family Therapy London: Karnac
Frosh, S. and Baraitser, L. (2009) Goodbye to Identity? In A. Elliott and P. du Gay (eds) Identity in Question London: Sage
Frosh, S. and Young, L. (2008) Psychoanalytic Approaches to Qualitative Psychology. In C. Willig and W. Stainton-Rogers, The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology London: Sage
Frosh, S. (2007) Another Repressed Returns: The Re-Branding of German Psychoanalysis. In Perri 6, S. Radstone, C. Squire and A. Treacher (eds) Public Emotions London: Palgrave
Frosh, S. (2006) Psychoanalysis and the Nazis. In B. Brooks-Gordon and M. Freeman (eds) Law and Psychology Oxford: Oxford University Press
Frosh, S. (2006) Psychoanalysis and Judaism. In D. Black (ed) Psychoanalysis and Religion in the Twenty-First Century London: Routledge
Phoenix, A. and Frosh, S. (2005) ‘Hegemoniale Männlichkeite’, Männlichkeite-vorstellungun und –ideale in der Adoleszenz. Londoner Schüler zum Thema Identität. In King, V. and Flaake, K. (eds) Männliche Adoleszenz: Sozialisation und Bildungsprozesse zwischen Kindheit und Erwachsensein Frankfurt/New York: Campus Verlag
Frosh, S. (2004) Religious Influences on Parenting. In M. Hoghughi and N. Long (eds) Handbook of Parenting London: Sage
Frosh, S. (2004) Knowing More Than We Can Say. In D. Paré and G. Larner (eds) Collaborative Practice in Psychology and Therapy Binghampton, NY: Haworth Press.
Frosh, S. (2003) Lacan. In A. Elliott and L. Ray (eds) Key Contemporary Social Theorists Oxford: Blackwell
Frosh, S. (2003) Psychoanalysis in Britain: The Rituals of Destruction. In D. Bradshaw (ed) A Concise Companion to Modernism Oxford: Blackwell
Frosh, S. (2002) Racism, Racialised Identities and the Psychoanalytic Other. In V. Walkerdine (ed) Challenging Subjects: Critical Psychology for a New Millennium London: Palgrave
Frosh, S. (2001) Characteristics of Abusers. In K. Wilson and A. James (eds) The Child Protection Handbook, Second Edition London: Balliere Tindall
Frosh, S. (2001) Ego, Self and Subjectivity: Contributions from the Object Relations School . In B. Seu (ed) Who Am I? The Ego and the Self in Psychoanalysis London: Rebus
Frosh, S. (2000) In Praise of Unclean Things: Critical Psychology, Diversity and Disruption In T. Sloan (ed) Critical Psychology: Voices for Change London: Macmillan
Recent Professional and Other Publications
Frosh, S. (2009) Affective Inequity. British Journal of Sociology of Education forthcoming
Frosh, S. (2009) Putting the Id back in Yid. Jewish Quarterly, 213, 14-17
Frosh, S. (2008) Disintegrating qualitative research: A re-vision Qualitative Methods in Psychology Newsletter, 5, 37-39
Frosh, S. (2007) Freud’s Jewish Community Jewish Renaissance, 7, 21
Frosh, S. (2007) Goodbye to the Self. Éisteach, 7, 4-8
Frosh, S. (2006) A Life on the Margins. The Psychologist, 19, 542-3
Frosh, S. (2006) The Burden of ‘Jewish Genius’: Einstein and Freud. Jewish Quarterly, 201, 51-6
Burman, E., & Frosh, S. (2005). Introduction to special issue. Group Analysis, 38, 7-15.
Pattman, R., Frosh. S., & Phoenix, A. (2002). Boy zone: Boys talk about girls and masculinity. Young Minds Magazine, 59, 28-30
Pattman, R., Frosh. S., & Phoenix, A. (2002). How boys negotiate their identities at school. Working with Young Men, 1, 7-10.
Edited Series: Basic Texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Palgrave)
Current PhD Students
Tanyas, B: Turkish Migrant Experiences.
Jivaji, G: Mathematics and the Subject of Education
Elgar, V: Psychoanalysis and theatre rehearsal
Noel-Smith, K: Time, Philosophy and Psychoanalysis
Gower, M: Adult parenting
Alcock, M. The Symbol in Lacan and Berryman
Kuzuhara, F. Affect in Psychoanalysis
Alexander, R. Hate and Psychoanalysis
Piotrowska, A. The Ethics of Documentary Film
Graduate Students Completing PhD Thesis
Griffiths, P. Holocaust Testimony as a Form of Remembrance. Awarded December 2009
Simai, S. In the Shadow of the Oppressor: A psychopolitical study of subordination and resistance. Awarded July 2008.
Frost, N. Taking the other out of mother: the transition to second-time motherhood. Awarded November 2006
Young, L. 'Doing brother' and the construction of masculinity: A psychosocial study Awarded September 2006
Baraitser, L. One, two, infinity: ethics and the undoing of maternity Awarded January 2006
Jeffcote, N. Making Sense: How forensic mental health staff understand the demands and experiences of their work Awarded January 2006
Stavrou, S. Pedagogy and Gender in Greek Cypriot Society: The Role of Schoolbooks in the Implicit Teaching of Gender Awarded April 2005
Eslava, C. The Impact of Migration on Colombian Asylum-Seeking Families. Awarded September 2004
Bennett, J. (Dis)ordering Motherhood: Mothering a Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Awarded February/March 2004
Nel, P. Emerging Family Therapist Identities: At the Intersection of Professional and Personal Narratives Awarded February 2004
Pekki-Erikkila, S. Personal Values and Value Conflicts in the Work Environment: A Study of Subjective Experiences Awarded January 2003
Stancombe, J. Family Therapy as Narrative: The Management of Blame and Responsibility Awarded January 2003
Jalas, K. Psychoanalysis and Lesbian ‘Masculinity’: A Theoretical Study Awarded November 2002
McGee, C. The Survival Strategies of Women in Rape Situations Awarded August 2002
Sleyster, E. The Roles of a Consultant During Consultation Awarded February 2002
Tibbles, P. The Construction of Self in Psychopathology and the Influence of Psychotherapeutic Intervention Awarded December 2001
Mackay, S. Ideology: the Social Imaginary and Narcissistic Tendencies in Organisations Awarded February 2001
Emerson, P. Narrative Analysis and Abusive Masculinity: An Approach to Researching Boys who Sexually Abuse other Children Awarded April 2000
Kapur, R. The Effects of Different Styles of Interpretation on the State of Mind of the Patient in Individual Psychotherapy Awarded September 1998
Abela, A. Marital Conflict in Malta Awarded February 1998
Taylor, A. Parental Attachment and Adjustment to College for Adolescent Students in Further Education Awarded September 1997
Gil-del-Real, A. Surviving Cancer: Styles of Human Adaptation. Awarded June 1996.
Timmann, S. Psychoanalysis as a Profession and its Approach to Behaviour in Organisations. Awarded February 1994.
Moore, K. Therapeutic Needs of Sexually Abused Children. Awarded May 1991.