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Elitism in psychoanalysis in the USA: narcissistic defense against cumulative traumas of prejudice and exclusion
Author(s) -
Ponder Joann
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of applied psychoanalytic studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.314
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 1556-9187
pISSN - 1742-3341
DOI - 10.1002/aps.119
Subject(s) - prejudice (legal term) , feeling , psychology , elitism , psychoanalysis , narcissism , social psychology , psychotherapist , law , political science , politics
Abstract Psychoanalysts in the USA have been perceived as élitist and exclusionary. It is hypothesized that this behavior services as a narcissistic defense against feelings of marginalization and inadequacy, stemming from experiences of prejudice, loss, and exclusion in the past. It is further hypothesized that there has been an institutional and multigenerational transmission of cumulative traumas that originated with Freud and the European psychoanalysts. The roots and history of the narcissistic defense are examined, as well as its manifestations in American training and practice today. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.