Repression and Fear by Yacov Rofé

Repression and Fear by Yacov Rofé

Originally published in 1989 and reissued here with a substantial new introduction Repression and Fear was a provocative new explanation of neurosis and psychosis. In this work, the author provides evidence that psychopathological theories at the time – most notably psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and medical models – were inadequate as means of explaining neurosis and psychosis. In their place, he proposes a new theory, which he terms psychobizarreness.

According to this theory, based largely on a new concept of repression, bizarre psychiatric symptoms are viewed as coping mechanisms. In sharp contrast to the psychoanalytic view, the author argues that repression is a conscious process without connection to childhood events, and that there should be a distinction made between ‘healthy’ and ‘pathological’ repression. Moreover, the psychobizarreness theory argues that the phenomenon of unawareness, characteristic of abnormal individuals, is more likely a temporary state produced by the conscious mind through self-deception rather than the result of a mysterious unconscious self.

The text also presents an in-depth review of the current research literature on fear, again arguing that currently accepted models are not adequate and suggesting a new conditioning model to explain normal as opposed to bizarre fear. Finally, the author presents a unified therapeutic theory, together with a multidimensional therapeutic strategy, to synthesize the seemingly conflicting findings in this area.

Reviews for the original edition:

“Psychologists have long searched for an integrative theory to bring together the creative insights of psychoanalysts, behaviorists and proponents of biological models of research literature and a major contribution toward theoretical integrationThe author has done a remarkable job of providing an overview of the relevant literature and a cogent analysis of critical conceptual issues. His views will no doubt generate heated theoretical controversy and fruitful empirical research.” – Dr. Charles D. Spielberger, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa and National Treasurer, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

“This book is a clear and lively integration of a broad range of psychological theory and data…. The work is a useful contribution to a search for new integration motives which is going on throughout psychology.” – Dr. Paul M. Lehrer, Director of Behavior Therapy, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, R. W. Johnson Medical School, and Professor of Psychology, Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey.

“Besides the invaluable contribution of Rofé’s book to the theory of abnormal and clinical psychology and its therapeutic implication, the book also deals with learning theory. For those of us who are interested in the question what is the relation between the ‘traditional’ learning psychology and the more ‘modern’ cognitive approach, the book may be very enlightening…. Rofé examines thoroughly and carefully the theoretical issues and research findings. Then he comes up with his own new, stimulating, revealing and convincing theoretical solution.” – Professor Isaac Lewin, Chairman, Psychology Department, Bar-Ilan University, Israel.

Yacov Rofé is a retired Professor of Psychology and former Chair of the Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel. He also taught in the Department of Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and served as a visiting professor at Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey.

Professor Rofé has published extensively in leading psychology journals. Among his major contributions is Stress and Affiliation: A Utility Theory, published in Psychological Review (1984). Another influential article, published in Review of General Psychology (2008), offers a comprehensive critique of the concepts of repression and the Freudian unconscious.

Throughout his academic career, Professor Rofé has sought to resolve longstanding theoretical problems in psychopathology by developing a rational account of psychological disorders. His work has led to two complementary theoretical frameworks: Psycho-Bizarreness Theory (PBT), which explains bizarre psychopathological disorders as rational coping mechanisms under conditions of intolerable stress, and Rational-Automatic Conditioning Theory (RACT), which explains the development of non-bizarre fears and simple phobias through automatic fear conditioning.