The Essence of Masochism

On seeing oneself as “left out”: The chronically complaining patient in psychotherapy

“…Schecter (1979) offered a supplementary explanation in terms of the benevolent aspects of the superego. The admittedly speculative suggestion put forth here is that, at least in some such patients, a decisive event takes place a good while before the advent of the superego (Cooper, 1988;Novick & Novick, 1987;Seelig & Person, 1991). During the preoedipal period, the archaic ego is thought to create a compensatory maternal surrogate analogous to Kramer's (1955) "little man" phenomenon.…”

“…Also, the superego is theoretically a product of the resolution of the Oedipus complex at age five or so. The precursors of masochistic behavior are observable in some children well before the Oedipal phase (Novick & Novick, 1987). Many a mother can attest to that; and, as often as not, the preoedipal masochistic child is not simply mimicking either parent's behavior.…”

The Fate of Aggression in Maso-Masochistic Relationships

“…Instead, they blamed the child and externalized their own infantile affective states (Novick and Novick 1987). Note that this behavior on the part of the caregiver is wholly consistent with Winnicott's impinging environment.…”

Dyadic Violence, Shame, and Narcissism

“…Raised in control-oriented, oppressive environments, in which at least one of die parents was intrusive or invasive of personal boundaries, the individual's attachments are tenuously maintained, often at the cost of considerable pain and suffering Oohnson, 1991;Novick & Novick, 1987. Becau.se of overwhelming needs for attachment and bonding, ac tual abuse and suffering are frequently either denied or are seen in themselves as signs of attachment.…”