A Note on the Assessment of Idealization

Abstract

In a series of studies using the Lerner Defense Scale (H. Lerner & P. Lerner, 1980) for assessing primitive defenses, inconsistent and at times perplexing findings have been reported regarding the defense of idealization. A major study examining personality variables, including defense, in a nonclinical population-ballet students-and comparing them to those of patients suffering eating disorders, yielded findings related to the defense of idealization and its assessment. Herein, the results of that study are reviewed and then discussed in light of recent psychoanalytic formulations regarding idealization.

Assessing Narcissism Using Rorschach-Based Imagery and Behavior Validated by Clinician Reports: Studies With Adult Patients and Nonpatients

“…Across several studies, IDL operated in a manner very different from other defense scales, including Splitting, Devaluation, and Denial. These alternative scales were consistently positively associated with borderline psychopathology, while IDL was either not associated with that disorder or more elevated in nonclinical control participants (P. M. Lerner & Van-Der Keshet, 1995).…”

“…The selected scales derived from previous research have in their original form all shown reasonable interrater reliability and at least some evidence for validity (Blais et al, 2001;Cooper et al, 1988Cooper et al, , 1991Gacono et al, 1990;Gacono et al, 1992;Hilsenroth et al, 1997;Homann, 2013;P. M. Lerner & Van-Der Keshet, 1995;Wagner, 1974;Wagner & Hoover, 1971, 1972.…”

“…Lerner, 1988;P. M. Lerner & Lerner, 1980;P. M. Lerner & Van-Der Keshet, 1995;Wagner, 1965Wagner, , 1974Wagner & Hoover, 1971, 1972.…”

Iron Man’s and Captain Marvel’s Anxieties and Defense Mechanisms in “Civil War II”

“…It is a defense mechanism by which a person perceives an idea to believe another person or object as far better than they truly are. Otto Kernberg has conceptualized idealization as a view when a person exaggeratedly attribute positive qualities to the self or other (Lerner & Van-Der Keshet, 1995). In Captain Marvel's way to deal with her current situation, she uses idealization as her way to deal with all of the problems that come from her inner and outer worlds.…”

“…In doing so, they are able to avoid accepting the true cause or reason resulting in the present situation (Hall, 1999). Second, Idealization, involves creating an ideal impression of a person, place or object by emphasizing their positive qualities and neglecting the reality that they might have negative sides (Lerner & Van-Der Keshet, 1995). Furthermore, the third defense mechanism, Splitting, occurs when the ego attempts to reconcile multiple aspects or rationales, but resorts to understanding the world in "black and white" terms (Goin, 1998).…”