Shame, classroom resistance, and Bion’s desire not to know

Abstract: It is not uncommon for students to resist evidence or claims taught by their teachers. This paper uses affect theory from the work of Sylvan Tomkins to understand Wilfred Bion’s account of the human “desire not to know.” I argue that cultural experiences with shame and disgust set in place biological responses that restrict and attack possibilities for cognitive thought. Classroom experiences that appeal to requirements for “thoughtfulness” should anticipate the biological ground of resistances and seek forms of engagement that respond to resistance through emotional rather than intellectual force. [author's abstract]

Object Details

• Alternative title: Vergonha, resistência em sala de aula, e o ‘desejo de não saber’, de Bion
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Veröffentlichungsversion ; begutachtet ; In: ETD - Educação Temática Digital ; 13 (2011) 1 ; 225-237

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Psychologie

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Mannheim
• (when): 2011
• Creator: Alcorn, Marshall

Further information

• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-286230
• Rights: Open Access unbekannt; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:59 AM CEST