ROUTLEDGE PROJECT | inanalysis

BOOK PROPOSAL

Title:

Exploring the Economic Unconscious.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

Editors:

Liviu Poenaru (1) and Murielle El Hajj (2)

1) Doctor in psychopathology and clinical psychology, psychotherapist (Geneva), cofounder/codirector of In Analysis journal (Elsevier Masson, Paris)

2) Assistant Professor and Director of Lusail University Press (LU Press), Lusail University, Qatar

The proposed edited book is groundbreaking, presenting the first attempt to elaborate a comprehensive study of the concept of the 'economic unconscious' (EU).' The EU refers to the complex interaction between the mind and the economic codes disseminated in our environment. This interaction involves the subtle, often unnoticed ways in which socio-economic structures, norms, and ideologies influence individual and collective thought processes, behaviors, and emotions. The EU thus shapes our perceptions, decision-making, and identities through the pervasive presence of economic narratives and values embedded in cultural, political, and social institutions. Paradoxically overlooked in scientific domains, the economic unconscious immerses us in the hidden facets of cognition, representations, emotions, and conditioning, exploring the nuances with which these elements influence not only our economic choices but also our relationships with financial, social, and aesthetic capital.

One of the aims of this book is to emphasize how the economic unconscious can only be understood at the convergence of various disciplines, such as consumer neuroscience, behavioral economics, cognitive sociology, psychology (cultural, social, etc.), philosophy, and the epidemiology of the modern world. As a result, it may offer a vivid picture of how societal structures, both explicit and implicit, shape not only economic behaviors but also personalities, societies, and collective unconscious, due to the interplay between codes, symbols, languages, cultures, and collective experiences. Additionally, from a critical perspective, our work highlights how the economic unconscious is closely linked to the persistent influence of information (WHO discusses infodemic—an overabundance of information, both accurate and inaccurate) underpinned by messages, facts, perceptions, behaviors, and emotions, all aiming to activate economic drives.

Keywords: Economic Unconscious, Economic Cognitions, Behavioral Economics, Consumer Neurosciences, Cognitive sociology, Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Epidemiology, Critical Studies.

Rationale for Collaboration:

Interdisciplinary dialogue: The EU cannot be fully understood through a single lens. By bringing together experts from diverse fields, this edited book aims to foster a rich interdisciplinary contemporary dialogue.
Holistic understanding: Each discipline brings a unique set of methodologies. Integrating neuroscientific findings with sociological and psychological observations, economic behavioral patterns, and philosophical insights provides a more holistic understanding of the EU.
Practical applications: The intersection of diverse perspectives leads to the development of innovative frameworks and practical applications. Understanding how economic unconscious factors shape subjectivities, societies, and economic behavior holds immense potential for informing policymaking and therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing the contemporary issues posed by unprecedented economic contexts and codes.

The purpose of this collective book is thus to bridge gaps between disciplines and to offer a comprehensive exploration of the EU. Contributions range from theoretical frameworks to empirical studies, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue focused on the notion of the “unconscious” as it can be approached by various disciplines. We welcome contributions from various disciplines to cover the below themes:

Neurosciences and Consumer Neuroscience: Expertise in neurosciences is instrumental in unraveling multiple non-conscious processes which highlight the neural pathways and correlates of memory, learning, attention, emotions, and conditionings in the economic decision-making processes. This approach spans multiple subfields, including cognitive neuroscience, affective neuroscience, and neuropsychology. By integrating insights from neuroscience with theories and research from psychology, philosophy, and other disciplines, scientists may deepen our understanding of the complex relationship between brain function and unconscious economic experience.
Behavioral Economics: Behavioral economists will shed light on the relationship between unconscious processes (intuitive, automatic, short) and biased economic decisions. This field acknowledges that individuals often deviate from the rational models assumed in traditional economics due to cognitive biases, emotions, and social influences. Their insights will contribute to a practical understanding of how particular unconscious processes play a significant role in shaping behaviors and cognitions, provided that several key articulations between behavioral economics and these processes can be identified: dual-system models, heuristics, biases, emotional and social influences, norms, temporal discounting, nudge theory, habit formation, neuroeconomics, etc.
Cognitive Sociology and Social Psychology: In a world largely determined by social networks as vectors of economic codes, cognitive sociology and social psychology are a crucial component in this multidisciplinary exploration as long as they investigate the links between non-conscious processes, automaticity, social cognition, schema theory, implicit bias, social influence, stereotype activation, non-verbal communication, emotion, social identity, self-concept, automatic processing of social information, unconscious priming, behavioral activation, etc.
Cultural Psychology: This perspective will explore the influence of cultural contexts on economic behaviors, cognitions (perception, emotions, and interpretation of the world) and development. Cultural narratives may articulate with EU at multiple levels: cultural schemas, implicit knowledge, implicit cultural values and norms, cultural priming, activation, cultural metaphors and symbols, cultural scripts, social roles, cultural emotions, affective experiences, cultural worldviews, implicit theories, etc. This perspective will highlight the complex relationship between culture, cognition, and unconscious mental processes in shaping child development, human experience, social life, and economic backgrounds.
Psychoanalysis: Scholars in this domain will complement our perspective by providing a nuanced understanding of the unconscious motivations and drives behind economic choices. How do drives, societal structures, and historical conditions influence early child development and economic decision-making? Is the development of the child and its unconscious essentially determined by oedipal configurations, or rather by economic contexts that condition the appearance of class, race, and gender neuroses according to principles of social inclusion and exclusion?
Propaganda: Highlighting how the EU is closely linked to the persistent influence of propaganda in the contemporary context will add value to our interdisciplinary exploration. The dissemination of multiple narratives (in the media, cultural, political, or commercial audio-visual productions, etc.), with increasingly subtle, sophisticated strategies controlled by artificial intelligence, significantly impacts decision-making processes. Propaganda techniques often exploit non-conscious processes to influence economic behavior, shape consumer choices, and sway public opinion regarding economic issues. Understanding the intersection between propaganda, economic behavior, and unconscious requires examining how persuasive messaging can create cognitive biases, emotional responses, social dynamics, and cultural narratives to impact individuals’ economic desires and actions.
Philosophy: Philosophical perspectives on the EU will add depth to our exploration. How can philosophical frameworks enrich our understanding of the ethical (autonomy, self-determination, privacy) and existential dimensions of economic choices? While the EU offers insights into the complexities of human behavior and cognitions, it also raises multiple ethical issues: inequality, vulnerability, privacy, data ethics, transparency, disclosure, ethical consumerism, corporate responsibility, fairness, distributive justice, professional ethics, fiduciary duties, etc.
Pathologies and Epidemiology: Contributions from the study of pathologies and epidemiology of the 21st century are crucial to address the impact of contemporary economic, societal, and political structures on mental health. How do economic systems and decisions contribute to pathologies, and what are the epidemiological evolutions and implications of this unprecedented context on mental well-being? Several factors may impact mental well-being and contribute to pathologies: pressure to curate an ideal life, fear of social exclusion, cognitive and information load, income inequality, social stratification, job insecurity, precarious employment, constant injection of consumer codes and materialism, workplace stress, burnout, economic insecurity, permanent financial distress, social isolation, alienation, environmental degradation, eco-anxiety, etc. Frances Haugen, Facebook’s whistleblower, informs us that in 2021 the company (Meta, which also owns Instagram) was aware that the use of its apps was leading to an increase in suicide among young girls: “We make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls”. How these findings, among many others, can be applied to the current socio-economic regime and its pathological effects?

Sections and Chapters Outline

This edited book is structured into 9 sections and a total of 19 chapters, all interconnected with the concept of the EU. To facilitate this articulation, it is crucial to provide a comprehensive definition of the EU, as long as it is a transversal, multidisciplinary and multilayered concept (metaphysical, tangible, and provisional, necessarily altered by the evolution of research).

The EU comprises a complex array of operations, mechanisms, processes, and dynamics spanning psychic, somatic, political, social, economic, scientific and cultural domains. These aspects evade individual and collective consciousness while manifesting within the neuro-cognitive-behavioral and ecosystemic complex. Positioned at the convergence of individual and group unconsciousness, the economic unconscious results from diverse cognitive, behavioral, and defensive maneuvers undertaken privately, collectively, and environmentally. These operations, though seemingly conscious and voluntary, are primarily driven by latent contents and mechanisms, as emphasized by neurosciences, cognitive sciences and psychoanalysis. In neuroscience, for example, one key approach is to examine patterns of brain activity associated with unconscious processes. Studies have identified neural correlates of unconscious perception, decision-making, and emotional processing. Research on neural networks and connectivity sheds light on how information is processed and integrated in the brain, even when individuals are not consciously aware of it. Additionally, advances in understanding neurotransmitter systems and neuromodulation provide insights into the biological underpinnings of unconscious mental states and behaviors.

Viewed through this perspective, the EU emerges as an interactive, functional, systemic, and co-constructed universe at both microscopic and macroscopic levels. Governed by processual laws influenced by human nature and adaptability, it operates within an environment increasingly shaped by economic laws and strategies, generating multiple conflicts and dynamics. Thus, a transdisciplinary, dialectical, and critical approach is proposed for the subjective reconstruction and exploration of the EU’s contents and latent conflicts, emphasizing relevance and non-dogmatism.

SECTION 1: NEUROSCIENCES OF ECONOMICS

Chapter 1: Consumer neuroscience & neuroeconomics

Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying consumer responses to marketing stimuli, brands, products, and advertising messages.
Methods used to investigate how the brain processes information related to consumer choices and experiences.
Questioning the way neuroeconomics seeks to integrate insights from neuroscience, psychology, and economics.

Chapter 2: Emotions and economic conditioning

Examination of the interdisciplinary dialogue facilitated by expertise in neurosciences to provide valuable insights into how the brain processes emotional stimuli, influences decision-making, and shapes economic behaviors and conditionings.
The relationship between psychological factors, market dynamics, institutional frameworks, and socio-cultural contexts that shape economic decision-making and outcomes at individual, organizational, and societal levels.

SECTION 2: BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS

Chapter 3: Cognitive biases and heuristics in economic decisions

Questioning how individuals perceive information, process data, and make choices.
How individuals’ cognitive biases—systematic deviations from rationality—and heuristics—mental shortcuts or rules of thumb—affect their decision-making processes in economic contexts?
How do "nudges" draw on behavioral science insights to help individuals make better choices, often by altering the way options are presented or structuring decision environments to favor desired outcomes?

Chapter 4: Behavioral economics in practice

Practical understanding of how behavioral economics principles manifest in real-world scenarios and how individuals make choices in uncertain and complex environments.
In-depth exploration of practical applications across various domains, including healthcare, education, environmental conservation, and public policy.
Designing interventions and solutions that address real-world challenges and promote positive outcomes.

SECTION 3: COGNITIVE SOCIOLOGY & SOCIAL NEUROECONOMICS

Chapter 5: Cognitive sociology

Understanding how individuals’ nonconscious mental processes influence and are influenced by social structures, norms, and interactions.
How social context shapes cognitive processes such as perception, attention, memory, and decision-making?
How can social cognition, collective memory, identity, language, discourses, social networks, information flow, embodiment and situated cognition, and normative influences elucidate the complex relationship between cognitive psychology and sociology?

Chapter 6: Social neuroeconomics

Studying the articulation between principles from neuroscience, economics, and social psychology to investigate the neural underpinnings of social decision-making and behavior in economic contexts.
Examining theories related to the neural correlates of social behavior, social preferences, altruism, social influence, conformity, group decision-making, collective behavior, cultural and cross-cultural differences, and applications to policy and intervention.

Chapter 7: Social media and cognitive sociology

How individuals perceive, interpret, and make sense of social phenomena, including the influence of technology and media on cognition and social interactions?
Which insights can cognitive sociology offer into phenomena such as information processing, social comparison, identity formation, relationships, attention economy, distraction, echo chambers, polarization, digital literacy, and critical thinking?

SECTION 4: CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY

Chapter 8: Influence of cultural contexts on economic behaviors

Exploration of how cultural narratives articulate with economic unconscious processes like perception of work, wealth, risk, authority, consumption, etc.
Examination of variations in economic cognitions and attitudes within different cultural contexts.

Chapter 9: Cultural psychology and child development

Examination of how cultural contexts shape child development in terms of socialization, language acquisition, social learning, imitation, emotional regulation, identity formation, parenting beliefs and practice, etc.
Appreciation of the diverse pathways through which cultural and economic elements shape early childhood experiences, socialization processes, and developmental outcomes across different cultural communities.
Highlights how the early influences create deep-seated, often subconscious, economic behaviors and perceptions that persist into adulthood, reflecting the profound interplay between cultural conditioning and economic dynamics.

SECTION 5: VISION AND ECONOMY

Chapter 10: Neuroscience of vision

What are the neuronal mechanisms of the visual system and how does it function?
What role does vision play in perception, attention, emotional responses, cognitive biases, heuristics, brand identity, visual symbolism, visual framing, priming, environmental context, etc.?

Chapter 11: Visual studies

Examining the production, reception, and interpretation of visual culture across various media and contexts.
How visual studies can inform the formation of the EU by shedding light on the ways in which visual culture shapes individuals’ perceptions, preferences, and decision-making processes in economic contexts?

SECTION 6: PSYCHOANALYSIS

Chapter 12: Unconscious motivations in economic

Nuanced understanding of the fundamental drives at play in economic choices from the perspectives of psychoanalysis.
How the main psychic instances (the Id, the Ego, the Superego) of the psychic apparatus and its defense mechanisms are built and modulated by economic codes?
Can the perspectives of schizoanalysis (Deleuze & Guattari) and Freudo-Marxism offer us alternative and dialectical views on the EU to enhance rigor and scientific validation, and to promote critical thinking?

Chapter 13: Early child development and economic choices

Analysis of how societal, economic, political structures and historical conditions impact early child development and permanently shape the psychic apparatus.
Is the Oedipus complex still relevant in the face of numerous economic and cultural factors that influence child development?

SECTION 7: PROPAGANDA

Chapter 14: Economic unconscious and contemporary propaganda

Underscoring the complex relationship between psychological, economic, and socio-political forces in forming individuals’ beliefs, behaviors, and societal norms.
Understanding different concepts involved in modern propaganda such as: persuasion techniques, advertising culture, psychological manipulation, surveillance, data mining, etc.

Chapter 15: Beyond individual choices – propaganda’s collective impact

Showing how propaganda exerts a significant collective impact on societies and cultures through various mechanisms and outcomes (manufacturing consent, social polarization and division, cultural hegemony, normalization of authoritarianism, social engineering, resistance to counter-narratives, etc.).
How to foster democratic values, social cohesion, and cultural diversity in an increasingly interconnected and mediated world?

SECTION 8: PHILOSOPHY

Chapter 16: Philosophical perspectives on the economic unconscious

Exploring the deeper layers of human consciousness, desires, motivations and values that underpin economic phenomena.
Question the way in which various philosophical perspectives (Marxism, existential philosophy, critical theories, feminism, political philosophy, etc.) perceive the economic unconscious.

Chapter 17: Ethics

Addressing the ethical issues raised by consumer neuroscience and marketing (including neuro- and nanomarketing).
Exploration of the future of autonomy, self-determination and privacy in a world that presents itself as regulated by freedom of expression.
Which guidelines can be elaborated to define the best practices that promote responsible and ethical use of consumer neuroscience and neuromarketing techniques while safeguarding individual autonomy and well-being?

SECTION 9: PATHOLOGIES & EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MODERN ECONOMIES

Chapter 18: Economic systems and mental health pathologies

Questioning how economic systems can influence mental health outcomes through various mechanisms, impacting individuals, families, and communities.
Analysis of epidemiological evolutions and implications of modern economies on mental well-being.

Chapter 19: Treating economic pathologies

Examination of the ways mental health practitioners can address economic pathologies: psychoeducation, therapeutic support, exploring values and meaning, community building, mutual aid, critical reflection, social justice, etc.
Considering how to deal with pathogenic economic systems: advocacy, activism, regulatory reforms, policy change, solidarity, democratic participation, long-term vision, etc.

Submission Timeline

Abstracts will be sent to murielle.elhajj |@| hotmail.com or poenaruinanalysis |@| gmail.com. If the abstract is accepted, the contributors will have the opportunity to submit their full chapters by the end of January 2024.

Contributors may also be asked to peer review another chapter from the volume during the peer review period.

Submission Guidelines

Content:

Please ensure that your elaboration is explicitly articulated with the notion of “economic unconscious” as defined above. Chapters must not exceed 4,000 words.

Document Format:

Please submit your file as a Word document (.doc or .docx).

Text Formatting:

The body of the text should be double-spaced, including quotations, using Times New Roman font in 12-point size.
Left-align all pages (do not justify) and use 1-inch margins on top and bottom, as well as right and left.
Place page numbers on each page in the top right corner.
When using quotation marks, periods and commas should be placed inside the closing quotation mark.
Block quotations should be free of external quotation marks and indented 0.5 inches, flush-left.
Spelling, punctuation, and other conventions should follow standard U.S. American usage.

Headings:

Divide the chapter into sections with appropriately capitalized headings.
Do not end headings with a full stop.
Number headings following the format:

Chapter Title

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

X.1 Main Section Heading

X.1.1 Sub Section Heading

X.2 Main Section Heading

X.2.1 Sub Section Heading

Conclusion

Tables:

Supply tables in Word format, avoiding image files or Excel/PowerPoint.
Tables should be single line spaced.
Cite tables in the text and indicate their approximate location.
Number tables sequentially and provide captions positioned above each table.

Images:

Authors should obtain permission to reproduce any copyrighted materials (e.g., photographs) they wish to include with their chapters.
Please submit 300 dpi TIFF files.
Supply a list of figures, including a caption for each, accompanied by a source line and such acknowledgments as are required.
Cite images in the text and indicate their approximate location.
Number images sequentially and provide captions positioned below each image.
If you are unable to submit images in this format, please contact the editors.

Citations:

Ensure that the chapter’s references follow the APA style (7th Edition).

Submitted manuscripts should be original and should not have been previously published or currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.

Status of Manuscript: “idea only” and when approved the editors will disseminate a call for chapters and will invite contributors.

Breadth of Market

The edited book we present possesses a broad market appeal owing to its distinctive contribution to the field. By introducing the innovative concept of the Economic Unconscious, the book breaks new ground in scholarly discourse. What sets it apart is not only the originality of this concept but also the unique approach taken—an interdisciplinary exploration of the complex interplay between the mind and political-socio-economic decision-making processes. This interdisciplinary perspective not only enriches the depth of the content but also expands the potential readership, appealing to scholars, researchers, practitioners, politicians, and policy makers across various disciplines. The book’s ability to offer fresh insights and bridge gaps between traditionally isolated areas positions it as a valuable resource for a diverse audience, making its impact and relevance far-reaching within academic and professional communities.

International Appeal

The edited book boasts international appeal, drawing attention for its pioneering contribution to the field. With its groundbreaking exploration of the economic unconscious from an interdisciplinary perspective, the book transcends geographic boundaries. Its originality and innovative approach resonate with a global audience of scholars, researchers, and practitioners, fostering a cross-cultural understanding of the complex relationship between the mind and political-socio-economic decision-making processes. As the book navigates diverse perspectives and offers new insights, it positions itself as a valuable resource with international relevance, making it a compelling and sought-after publication on an international scale.

Primary Audience

The primary audience for the book includes scholars, researchers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines such as psychiatry and clinical psychology, neurosciences, cognitive sociology, behavioral economics, cultural psychology, psychoanalysis, propaganda, philosophy, critical studies, and the pathologies and epidemiology of capitalism.

Secondary Audience

The secondary audience for the book includes students, educators, and professionals seeking a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the contemporary world, increasingly subject to economic dictatorship.