Reading Comprehension

The extent to which French psychiatrist Jacques Lacan has had a significant impact on the modern field of psychoanalysis has been the subject of some debate. Harvard University professor and clinical psychologist Annie Rogers seeks to distill Lacan's opaque concepts into theories that can be applied practically in psychotherapy. In her analysis, Rogers claims that Lacan's contributions have been both undervalued and misconstrued. She concedes that Lacan's unique, idiosyncratic linguistic style has led to the dismissal of his writings by many psychoanalysts. Doubt about Lacan's authority is compounded by the fact that most respected psychoanalysts give credence to formal clinical case studies-scholarly work that Lacan's writings fail to reference. Still, Rogers credits Lacan with uncovering the methods by which the unconscious manifests itself through language. She has applied Lacanian theory in her practice of psychotherapy to treat victims of abuse.

Dylan Evans, a psychoanalyst who argues that Lacan's theories lack a sound scientific basis, has concluded that the application of Lacanian thought is more detrimental than it is beneficial to patients of psychotherapy. Evans' concern is Lacan's definition of "The Real"; this definition, according to Evans, inhibits patients from reaching a true understanding of themselves. Evans contends that Lacan's definition of The Real as "the impossible" (something that is both unimaginable and unattainable) is injurious, as it divorces the idea of conventional reality from The Real. Evans eventually asserts that the very entrance into language, the attempt to state The Real in words, signifies an irrevocable separation from The Real itself and is therefore impractical for the purposes of psychotherapy. Evans found that his patients experienced anxiety as a result of their inability to mentally differentiate between the real and the imaginary-a distinction which, owing to the limitations of language, can never be realized through conversation.

Despite the fact that Lacan's ideas are not always met with unqualified approval, it is true that Lacan was the first to suggest that knowledge is constructed on the basis of linguistic structures that organize not only our conscious, but also our unconscious lives. Evans' criticism of Lacan is challenged by Rogers' ability to effectively translate and apply the distinctive logic of Lacan's thinking to achieve successful results. Still, Rogers deviates slightly from Lacan, who was a Freudian thinker, in that her application of Lacanian thought undercuts Freud's emphasis on the bodily causes of behavior. Rogers instead focuses on the ways in which a human subject can use language to understand his or her relationships with others.


The author includes the highlighted statement in the last paragraph primarily in order to


(A) demonstrate a way in which Rogers' application of Lacan's theory undermines at least one of Freud's conceptions of behavior.

(B) offer a reason for Evans' dismissal of Rogers' use of Lacanian theory in the practice of psychotherapy.

(C) present evidence that undermines Evans' critique of the notion that knowledge is constructed on the basis of structures of language.

(D) assess the extent to which Rogers' application of Lacan's ideas has been significant for the practice of psychotherapy.

(E) emphasize Rogers' assertion about the legitimacy of practical applications of Lacanian theory in the field of psychotherapy despite arguments to the contrary

(A) demonstrate a way in which Rogers' application of Lacan's theory undermines at least one of Freud's conceptions of behavior. The information about Freud's views on behavior comes later and is not mentioned in the context of Evans' criticism

(B) offer a reason for Evans' dismissal of Rogers' use of Lacanian theory in the practice of psychotherapy. Seems to contradict what is given

(C) present evidence that undermines Evans' critique of the notion that knowledge is constructed on the basis of structures of language. I don't think this undermines his critique

(D) assess the extent to which Rogers' application of Lacan's ideas has been significant for the practice of psychotherapy. Too broad, I think

(E) emphasize Rogers' assertion about the legitimacy of practical applications of Lacanian theory in the field of psychotherapy despite arguments to the contrary Fits; Evans' criticisms are the arguments to the contrary, and Rogers' successful results emphasize her assertion

was torn between D & E....and caught by D

Jaiswal,

his question requires us to determine the primary function of the final paragraph within the context of the passage as a whole. First, we should consider the general structure of the passage:

The first paragraph provides an example of someone who has effectively used Lacan's theories in the practice of psychotherapy. The second paragraph explains why, according to Evans, Lacan's ideas are impractical for use in psychotherapy. The last paragraph begins by informing the reader that Lacan's ideas were unprecedented, and then states that Rogers effectively applied Lacan's ideas to psychotherapy (thereby challenging Evans' conclusions to the contrary). Lastly, the author explains that Rogers failed to incorporate the Freudian aspects of Lacanian theory.

Now we can return to the original question, which asks about this line in particular: Evans' criticism of Lacan is challenged by Rogers' ability to effectively translate and apply the distinctive logic of Lacan's thinking to achieve successful results.

Choice E is correct. By restating Rogers' success with Lacanian psychoanalysis in practice, the last paragraph supports the argument that his theories can be applied practically in the field of psychotherapy (despite arguments to the contrary-such as those put forth by Evans in the second paragraph).

Choice D is too broad in scope. The highlighted sentence explains how Evans' criticism is undermined by evidence to the contrary (provided by Rogers); it does not go beyond this point to assess the "extent" to which Rogers' actions have influenced the field of psychotherapy as a whole.

Hope this helps

jaiswalamrita wrote:was torn between D & E....and caught by D

Is asserting 'legitimacy' not out of scope? Instead if it is replaced with 'asserting efficacy / efficiency', then it will be match more with the RC.