Masochism

Summary

This video script delves into the psychoanalytic concept of masochism, distinguishing between moral (or psychic) masochism and sexual masochism. The speaker explores Freud’s theory that masochism arises from a need for punishment due to unconscious guilt, with aggression turned inward. It discusses how early childhood trauma, particularly emotional neglect or rejection, plays a significant role in the development of masochistic tendencies. The speaker also examines how these dynamics manifest in relationships and work life, and how object relations theory further illuminates the masochistic character, contrasting it with other psychological conditions like depression and obsessional neurosis.

Takeaways

• 😀 Masochism, as popularly understood, is about seeking pleasure through pain, but Freud's definition focuses on the need for punishment due to unconscious guilt, not pleasure.
• 😀 Freud distinguished between moral masochism (psychic masochism) and sexual masochism, with moral masochism stemming from unconscious guilt and the need for punishment.
• 😀 According to Freud, moral masochism arises from the child’s early trauma, where aggression is turned inward due to fear of punishment from authoritarian or emotionally neglectful parents.
• 😀 The superego is formed when this inward aggression is internalized, and the person experiences self-criticism and guilt, as seen in depression and masochism.
• 😀 Berliner, in his 1955 article, argues that sexual masochism is a superstructure built on moral masochism, and moral masochism originates from early object relations, not drive theory.
• 😀 Early trauma, particularly during the pre-Oedipal phase, leads to a child becoming addicted to rejection and criticism, confusing these feelings with love, which is then perpetuated in adult relationships.
• 😀 Masochists internalize their early rejecting objects and often seek out relationships with people who cannot love them properly, perpetuating their self-punishing behavior.
• 😀 In masochism, a person may placate both their external love objects and their internalized superego, submitting to punishment and criticism because they unconsciously believe they deserve it.
• 😀 The relationship between masochism and depression is closely intertwined, with both involving a person’s internalization of rejection and self-inflicted pain, though the depressive's pain is directed inward.
• 😀 Berliner also explores the idea that masochists have aggressive tendencies that are repressed, and in therapy, it is essential to address these repressed feelings of anger and aggression that are often directed outwardly.
• 😀 Masochism and obsessional neurosis share similarities in their internalized aggression, but Berliner suggests that obsessional neurosis may involve an excessive sadistic drive, whereas masochism stems more from early object relations and emotional trauma.

Q & A

What is the main distinction between masochism in popular culture and Freud's concept of masochism?

In popular culture, masochism is often associated with seeking pleasure through pain, but Freud's concept of masochism is centered on a need for punishment, driven by unconscious guilt, rather than the pursuit of pleasure through pain.

What is moral masochism, and how does it differ from sexual masochism?

Moral masochism, according to Freud, refers to the unconscious desire for punishment due to guilt, whereas sexual masochism involves deriving pleasure from pain or humiliation. Moral masochism is more related to psychic suffering and self-inflicted punishment.

How does Bearliner’s view of masochism differ from Freud's original theory?

Bearliner focuses on moral or psychic masochism, suggesting that sexual masochism is a superstructure built on top of the psychic masochism. He emphasizes the role of early object relations in the development of masochism, rather than simply the aggressive drive Freud emphasized.

What is the relationship between masochism and depression in the context of Bearliner's theory?

Bearliner argues that masochism and depression are closely related, with both involving self-inflicted pain or punishment. The masochist seeks rejection because they feel deserving of it, while the depressive character internalizes the aggressive rejection and attacks themselves.

How does early trauma influence the development of masochism according to the speaker?

Early trauma, particularly in the pre-edible oral phase, leads to a child seeking love but experiencing rejection and frustration. This creates a confusion where the child internalizes rejection as love, which later manifests as masochistic behavior in adulthood.

What role does the superego play in moral masochism?

In moral masochism, the superego becomes the internalized critical and attacking force. It takes on the role of punishing the self, echoing the early negative object relations, and the person submits to this internalized aggression.

How does Bearliner explain the masochist's provocation of rejection?

Bearliner suggests that the masochist, while seeking love and submission to rejection, is also unconsciously angry and frustrated by their treatment. This leads them to subtly provoke rejection, behaving as both a victim and a troublemaker.

What is the concept of 'identification with the aggressor' in masochism?

The concept of 'identification with the aggressor' refers to how a masochist internalizes the cold, cruel, and rejecting behaviors of early caregivers and later replicates this aggression towards others, becoming sadistic and rejecting in subtle ways.

How does the masochist's behavior impact their relationships, according to the transcript?

The masochist tends to be drawn to relationships that mirror early rejection and frustration. They may continuously seek love from people who cannot or will not love them properly, leading to a cycle of emotional pain and submission to cruel or indifferent partners.

How does Bearliner’s approach to therapy differ from other psychoanalytic schools when treating masochistic individuals?

Bearliner emphasizes that the therapist's role is not to enact corrective emotional experiences but to be warm, friendly, and non-rejecting. The therapeutic work focuses on analyzing how the masochist internalizes and replicates the aggression of early objects, especially the critical superego, rather than merely offering emotional re-parenting.