The other side of weight loss : a Lacanian autoethnography of weight-anxiety : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Organisation Studies at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
Loading...
Date
2011
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
Rights
The Author
Abstract
This thesis critically re-thinks the organisation of the weight loss industry using a
psychoanalytic framework derived from the work of Jacques Lacan, including his
discourse theory. Further, I develop critical methodology by focusing on my own
experiences and culture. I do this by gathering and analysing autoethnographic data. The
main findings of this thesis occur in three broad topic areas. First I re-conceptualise the
unconscious processes of the weight-loss subject and subsequently re-focus on the weight
loss industry’s unconscious target: anxiety. Second I re-think the gender of the weightanxious
subject, moving past biology and hegemony to think psychoanalytically about
those subjects who identify as weight-anxious. Third I tackle the ethics of the wider
weight loss industry, critically analysing its capitalistic focus and suggesting instead an
ethics based on the desire of the weight-anxious subject. Finally I attempt to look at my
thesis in reflection, by concluding in line with Lacan’s four discourses, finishing as the
psychoanalyst might by placing the thesis on the couch.
Description
Content removed due to copyright restrictions:
Dickson, A. (2011). The jouissance of the lard(er): gender, desire and anxiety in the weight-loss industry. Culture and organization, 17(4), 313-328.
Keywords
Weight loss industry, Weight loss anxiety, Body image