A STUDY OF INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SADOMASOCHISM AND NARCISSISM

Abstract

This dissertation deals with some of the interrelationships among phenomena of aggression, masochism, and narcissism. The theoretical and some of the experimental literature on aggression is reviewed, as is the more clinical literature on sadomasochism, narcissism, developmental deficits, and primitive personality organization. The latter two areas, developmental deficits and primitive personality organization, set the personality context for the particular interrelationships described herein.;Two major organizing points are evolved. The first is that outbursts of aggression can be triggered by experienced threats to the sense of self or perceived threats to its integrity. The second, again placing self experience and its deficits at the center of discussion, is that sadomasochistic patterns of relationship may obscure certain narcissistic vulnerabilties, vulnerabilities that may only become clear as the sadomasochistic cover is lost for one reason or another.;These theoretical ideas are developed and examined through the forensic literature, the clinical literature, and a case history.