Janine Chasseguet-Smirgel

French psychologist & psychoanalyst

Janine Chasseguet-Smirgel was a prominent figure in the field of psychology, specializing in psychoanalysis. Her distinguished career was marked by various leadership roles, including serving as the President of the Société psychanalytique de Paris in France. She also held the position of Vice President of the International Psychoanalytical Association from 1983 to 1989, underscoring her influence within the global psychoanalytic community.

As a respected academic, Chasseguet-Smirgel held esteemed positions at reputable institutions, including Freud Professor at University College, London, and Professor of Psychopathology at the Université Lille Nord de France. Her scholarly work focused on reinterpreting and expanding upon Freudian theories, particularly the concept of the ego ideal and its relationship to primary narcissism. Furthermore, she applied this theoretical framework to critique utopian ideologies, making significant contributions to the field of psychoanalysis and beyond.