The Darker Side of Human Nature

Institute of Psychoanalysis Explores Our Emotional and Mental Lives From Childhood to Old Age, and the Darker Side of Human Nature

LONDON, January 11, 2011 - The inner experience of babies, attitudes to ageing and the darker side
of human nature are some of the fundamental issues explored during The
Institute of Psychoanalysis' continuing special events programme. The
programme complements the Science Museum's groundbreaking exhibition,
Psychoanalysis: The Unconscious in Everyday Life (admission free, ends 2
April 2011).

Civilization and its Discontents (8 April) asks whether humanity can
master its drive to aggression and self-destruction. Dr David Bell, President
of The Institute of Psychoanalysis, discusses Freud's seminal work with
eminent literary critic Dame Gillian Beer, showing its continuing
contemporary relevance with reference to the 'war on terror', attitudes to
immigration and the effects of the penetration of the market into modern
life.

The darker side of human nature will be explored further at The Murder of
Sanity and the Sanity of Murder (19 March), looks at how we can understand
incomprehensible events, using clinical observation, literature and art to
explore issues including sexual addiction, revenge, psychopathy and murder.

The Child, the Family and the Outside World (26 February) asks how we can
make sense of the inner experience of babies and young children. Using clips
from James Robertson's pioneering film A Two-Year-Old Goes to Hospital, it
examines the importance of observation in understanding the inner world of
children.

At the other end of the life cycle, Thinking About Time and Ageing (4
February) explores why some people shy away from old age while others embrace
it, and how psychoanalysis can help free people from the emotional paralysis
that growing older can bring.

Humour and psychoanalysis will be the focus for a special screening of
the charming comedy Inconscientes (Unconscious - 13 February), followed by a
discussion with the film's award-winning director Joaquín Oristrell.

Further events include Developing Identity (16 January), Can
Psychoanalysis be a Science? (23 February), The Horror in Dreams (9 March)
and Big Wild Cats (15 March).

Events take place at various London venues. Full details at
www.beyondthecouch.org.uk or call +44(0)20-7563-5016

Full event details/media releases at: www.beyondthecouch.org.uk

The Institute of Psychoanalysis - media enquiries as above.

For clinical enquiries contact the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis on
+44(0)20-7563-5002, clinic@iopa.org.uk, wwww.psychoanalysis.org.uk

CONTACTS: All media enquiries / Press tickets / interviews: contact
Ginette Goulston-Lincoln, +44(0)7958-448002/+44(0)20-7923-0807, ginette at goulston-lincoln.com, Media enquiries about the Science Museum and the exhibition
Psychoanalysis: The Unconscious in Everyday Life - contact Laura Singleton at the Science Museum Press Office, +44(0)20-7942-4364, Laura.Singleton at ScienceMuseum.org.uk, Events take place at various London venues. Full details at www.beyondthecouch.org.uk or call +44(0)20-7563-5016, For clinical enquiries contact the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis on
+44(0)20-7563-5002, clinic at iopa.org.uk