Historical and conceptual links between Pierre Janet and Eugen Bleuler's (1911) concept of schizophrenia: A preliminary exploration. (360G-Wellcome-080456_Z_06_Z)

Historical and conceptual links between Pierre Janet and Eugen Bleuler's (1911) concept of schizophrenia: A preliminary exploration In the broadest terms, this project aims to explore the historical and conceptual roots of Eugen Bleuler's concept of schizophrenia, and its impact in Britain. The basic hypothesis is that the influence of Sigmund Freud on Bleuler's thinking has been overrated (including by Bleuler himself), with a corresponding devaluation of the extent to which Bleuler was influenced by Pierre Janet and his concepts, along with allied 'dissociationists' (such as Theodore Flournoy). The research attempts to trace the development not only of Bleuler's concept of schizophrenia, but also of the fundamental terms 'loosening' ('Lockerung') of associations, 'splitting' ('Spaltung') and complexes ('Komplex'). I am also seeking to trace Bleuler's contact with a variety of figures, and trace the significance of their influence on him, including Charcot, Forel, Wundt, Wernicke, Breuer, and, of course, Freud. Perhaps the most important is the influence of Carl Jung, Bleuler's colleague at the Burgholzi Hospital during the crucial years the concept of schizophrenia was being developed, and his 'second in command' for many years. The questions to address are: 1) When did Bleuler first formulate his ideas on 'loosening' of associations, and what influenced him in this regard? 2) Did Bleuler ever meet Janet? Did he have any direct contact with him? 3) How important an influence was Breuer and Freud's 'Preliminary Communication' in 1893 on Bleuler's developing ideas? 4) How much of an influence did Jung's ideas, particularly his 1907 book on Dementia Praecox have on Bleuler? 5) Why was Bleuler so enthusiastic about Freud? 6) How affected was Bleuler and the other Burgholzi physicians by Jung's sojourn with Janet in 1902-1903? 7) When was the term 'schizophrenia' first used around Burgholzi? 8) After Bleuler's book was published in 1911, did Freud read it? 9) Is there any historical record around Manfred Bleuler's invitation to Pierre Janet in 1946 to come to Zurich? Did he feel that Janet was an important influence on his father?