Psychologie und Psychopathologie der Intersubjektivität von Körpererfahrung - Psychomotorik am Beispiel mimischer Reziprozität

Abstract

Background: Psychomotor symptoms are important for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. The concept of psychomotorics has not changed in 150 years, basically. Social and interactional dimensions have not been included. Hypothesis: The paper argues in favor of an enlarged notion of psychomotorics taking cultural, social and interpersonal criteria into consideration. To account for this conceptual extension, the term psycho-socio-motorics or interactional psychomotorics is introduced. Methods: Interactional psychomotorics is highlighted by the analysis of mimic interaction, either in everyday conversation or in psychopathological symptoms. Results: Developmental and phenomenological studies have convincingly shown that mimic interaction is characterised by prereflexive spontaneity and a reciprocal attunement between self and other. The psychological challenge implied in mimic interaction is three-fold: it is unavoidable, happens spontaneously and is susceptible to failure. Psychopathological symptoms such as dysmorphophobia can be understood as an attempt to avoid or shortcut these challenges. The psychosocial sequelae of Parkinson's disease and of parkinsonoid side ― effects of neuroleptic drugs are due to a loss of balance in mimic interaction. Conclusion: Widening the notion of psychomotorics to include social and interactional dimensions allows an expanded understanding of psychopathological symptoms. Actual research methods to assess bodily experiences and an actual research project on facial expression and its impact on identity formation are finally touched upon.