The Impact of Early Sexual Discovery on Mood, Defensive Organization, and Symbolization

Freud's insights about the oedipus complex have been universalized to include the psychology of the girl. The authors argue that this crucial developmental phase for girls has uniquely feminine characteristics that have not been fully recognized or cohesively incorporated into psychoanalytic theories. This paper addresses these differences, which are based on characteristic patterns of object relationships, typical defenses, and social considerations. The authors argue that "female oedipal" is an oxymoron, and propose that this constellation be named "the Persephone complex" after the Greek myth of Persephone, which seems to capture better the typical situation of the little girl. They focus on the issue of separation and its complicated and necessary role in the triangular situation of females. Using illustrations from clinical material, the authors argue that the frequent appearance of separation material linked to triangular heterosexual competitive fantasies can and should be differentiated from material in which ideas about separation stem from dyadic and earlier issues. Misunderstanding how these separation conflicts tie into triangular "oedipal" relationships can lead to a "preoedipalization" of the dynamics of girls and women.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Femininization of the Female Oedipal Complex, Part I: a Reconsideration of the Significance of Separation Issues

Holtzman¹,

Kulish²

2000

“…The behavior ranged from heterosexual and homosexual promiscuity to sadomasochism, pedophilia, bestiality, exhibitionism, menage 5 trois, erotic asphyxia, and kleptomania. But with the expansion of knowledge of earlier, prephallic development, a high-risk time at the end of the second year was also identified as heightened genital sensitivity accompanied maturation of the anal sphincter (Greenacre, 1968; Galenson and Roiphe, 1972). ) CIassicalIy, in perversions, childhood trauma during the phallic phase, in those with constitutional ''weakness of the sexual apparatus" (Freud, 1905) intensified the castration complex to such a degree, that instead of being repressed it was warded off by ritualized behavior and fantasy (Sachs, 1923).…”

Section: Ira Brennermentioning

confidence: 99%

On Trauma, Perversion, and “Multiple Personality”

Brenner

1996

The role of perverse sexuality as an organizing influence in "multiple personality" is explored in this paper. Following a brief review of psychoanalytic thinking on sexual trauma and perversion, the author discusses his own views on dissociation and "multiple personality." A clinical case is then presented in which transsexualism, homosexuality, and sadomasochistic heterosexual practices were manifested during altered ego states. Analysis of the transference revealed the centrality of sadomasochism in this patient. It is hypothesized that various perverse structures may be formed within these seemingly autonomous, amnestic states, in order to contain anxiety and encapsulate the aggression which resulted from early psychic trauma. Issues relating to diagnosis, countertransference, reconstruction, and psychoanalytic technique are discussed also.

“…A third type of research, that represented by hlahler, Parens (I979), and Galenson andRoiphe (1971, 1974; Roiphe and Galenson,198 I), can be described as psychoanalytic developmental research. Conducted by researchers who took the psychoanalytic community as their primary reference group and wrote chiefly for this audience, work of this kind focused on specific problems raised by psychoanalytic theories and utilized a method of naturalistic observation in which the "clinical sensitivity" and the theories of the observers played a significant role.…”

Section: Iinplem En Ta T Ion Of Hart Ma Tin's Programmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conducted by researchers who took the psychoanalytic community as their primary reference group and wrote chiefly for this audience, work of this kind focused on specific problems raised by psychoanalytic theories and utilized a method of naturalistic observation in which the "clinical sensitivity" and the theories of the observers played a significant role. For example, Galenson andRoiphe (1971,1974) suggested that genital instincts play a significant role in development by the end of the second year of life, and Mahler's work led to greater stress being placed on object-relations issues than psychosexual ones. Research of this kind was capable of raising questions about particular aspects of psychoanalytic theory and could lead to shifts in emphases.…”

Section: Iinplem En Ta T Ion Of Hart Ma Tin's Programmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental Psychology and Psychoanalysis: I. the Context for a Revolution in Psychoanalysis

Leichtman

1990

After describing the manner in which the integration of psychoanalysis and developmental psychology became a central problem for ego psychology, the author examines the conditions that make it possible for new research and theory in developmental psychology to contribute to a revolution in contemporary psychoanalytic theory. They include: (1) the emergence of a state of "crisis" in American psychoanalysis centering on questions of the nature of early development and how it can be known; (2) the explosive growth of developmental research on early childhood dealing with issues at the heart of that crisis; and (3) the presence of a new generation of psychoanalysts and psychoanalytically oriented researchers capable of bringing that research to bear on those issues.