On the psychodynamics of collecting

Abstract

The urge to collect is a ubiquitous phenomenon which has anthropological, sociobiological and individual psychodynamic roots, but occurs far more frequently among men than women. The author examines the reasons for this gender difference and defines systematic collecting to distinguish it from addictive, obsessive and messy collecting, and from related phenomena such as perversion. The mode of collecting and choice of object are important indicators as to the unconscious psychodynamics of a collector and offer opportunity to describe his structural level. Collecting ranges across a broad spectrum, from an ego-syntonic integrated mode, i.e. sublimation, to a neurotic defence against pre-oedipal or oedipal traumas and conflicts. Alongside this drive-theoretical approach, object and Kleinian theory are also applied to the understanding of collecting. Collecting represents a specific form of object relating and way of handling primary loss trauma, which is different from addiction, compulsion, or perversion. Under certain circumstances collecting can also result in a successful Gestalt or way of life. The paper concludes with a case study showing how collecting develops from a pre-oedipal to a more integrated oedipal mode during the course of the analysis, which is reflected in changes in the transference.

Exploring contemporary amateur meteorology through an historical lens

“…This seems to support scholarship in psychology which identifies that 'the urge to collect' data occurs far more frequently among men than women (Subkowski, 2006). Other suggestions made by interviewees concerned a male desire to control…”

The tripartite model of aberrant purchasing: A theory to explain the maladaptive pursuit of consumption

“…A review of the extant literature revealed no existing scale to measure collecting. We developed a measure based upon the criteria identified by Subkowski (). Using a 4‐point scale, where 0 = not at all true of me , 1 = only a little true of me , 2 = somewhat true of me , 3 = v ery true of me , respondents indicated their agreement on seven items.…”

Forensic Archaeometry Applied to Antiquities Trafficking: The Beginnings of an Investigation at the Frontiers of Knowledge

“…Although the investigation has not yet concluded, this discovery not only exposes a certain capricious or compulsive character typical of hoarders, one of the most common profiles in this field (Subkowski 2006), but also the difference between acquiring pieces directly from looters and doing so through intermediaries. While the former may lie about the provenience of the objects in order to avoid publicizing places where they hope to find more, the artifacts they offer are genuine.…”