Possession as role-taking

Abstract

The paper discusses the psychological function of mythical roles in the genesis and maintenance of the possessional experience. The Devil as a personification of the evil provides a "role" which is possible to recognize and even interiorize. Theemotional psychological dynamics interacts with thecognitive content provided by the religious world-view. A case is analyzed and related to prior scientific studies in the field bordering psychopathology and pastoral experience.