Conflict

  Conflict in the broad sense refers to bipolarity of mind. According to the makeup of the opposing factors, conflict in a narrow sense is distinguished from the "defensive fluidity" based on "pathological identification" noted later. Here, we address only conflict in the narrow sense. I have already mentioned the relation between the regualtory factors and the defensive factors opposed to each other on both sides of the displeasing factors. Through taking up that relation again, I clear the contents which are the defensive structure of neurosis.

  Conflict in the narrow sense describes a mental structure where all constituent factors in the emotion system are present (defensive states), and it shows the psychodynamics whose regulatory factors and defensive factors are activated in opposition to each other in relation to the displeasing factors. There are four displeasing factors, and there are also four types of conflict. The neural transmissions in the four types are expressed as follows: (1) punitive self ←bad self → apologetic object; (2) punitive object ← bad object → rebellious self; (3) grandiose object ← weak object → grandiose self; (4) ideal self ← weak self → idealized object. When any of the four types of conflict is not resolved and is prolonged, the following are observed; in (1), occurrence of obsession or avoidance; in (2), phobia or a cluster symptoms centering on anxiety; in (3), physical symptoms including hypochondria; and in (4), withdrawal.


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Introjection and Projection

  Introjection and projection express the way the perception system relates to the emotion (affect) system. Neural transmission in introjection follows the path of perception system → emotion system; and neural transmission in projection follows the path of perception system ← emotion system.  In conventional psychoanalysis, introjection and projection are understood as defense mechanisms, but that understanding is wrong. When the concept of defense is used, precisely what is defending and what is being defended has to be clearly, substantially, established. Neither introjection nor projection fulfill that condition. The object factors (in the emotion system) participate in introjection or projection. Each object-displeasing factor, each object-defensive factor, and each object-regulatory factor (and object-regulatory sub-factor) is introjected and projected.


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Sympathy and Intellectualization

  Sympathy and intellectualization express the way the thinking system relates to the emotion (affect) system. The following neural transmission indicates sympathy; thinking system → emotion system. The converse indicates intellectualization; thinking system ← emotion system. The self factors (in the emotion system) show sympathy or intellectualization. The self-displeasing factors, self-defensive factors and self-regulatory factors (and self-regulatory sub-factors) participate in both.

  It should be noted that sympathy is not equal to empathy or compassion.  The idealized object participates in empathy, while the grandiose object participates in compassion. Intellectualization, furthermore, tends to occur with the self-defense unit rather than the self-regulation unit. That corresponds to the difference between cognition and recognition. Cognition has the tendency to appear as intellectualization. Recognition is generated through analogy in which the thinking system draws on intuitions generated by the awakening self (the marrow self). Neural transmissions in which the regulatory factors participate influence recognitory formation.


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Mechanisms of pathological identification

  The interlocking movements between the regulatory factors (object-regulatory factors and self-regulatory factors) that belong to the same system (the aggressive system or the fragile system) can occur within the two loops (of forgiveness and help) which take the role of emotional control system. (The self-regulatory factors are formed through their identification with introjected object-regulatory factors,and take shape via the perception and thinking systems, whereupon they are activated in those loops.)

  In contrast, the interlocking movements between the defensive factors (object-defensive and self-defensive factors), which belong to the same system, are usually generated via the perception and thinking systems, and they are expressed as object-defensive factor (→ perception system) (→ thinking system) → self-defensive factor, and object-defensive factor (← perception system) (← thinking system) ← self-defensive factor. There, "perception system → thinking system" indicates wisdom, and "perception system ← thinking system" indicates the perceptualization of concepts. Although wisdom is a conscious process, the perceptualization of concepts (S. Arieti) is an unconscious process. Various types of pathological identification can be expressed simply as "object-defensive factors ⇔ self-defensive factors," omitting the process in which the perception system and the thinking system participate (see section 31 on the definition of pathological identification).


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Types of pathological identification

  There are four types of pathological identification, which are classified into two types according to whether they belong to the aggressive system or the fragile system. In the aggressive system, "punitive object → punitive self" is called the sadistic type of pathological identification and "punitive object ← punitive self" is called the fear-induced type of pathological identification. In the fragile system, "grandiose object → ideal self" is called the narcissistic type of pathological identification, and "grandiose object ← ideal self" is called the dependent type of pathological identification.


                                       Basic Concepts (Ⅱ) 

Denial and Projective identification

  Denial and projective identification are so-called primitive defense mechanisms. Primitive defense mechanisms describe the psychodynamics that develop around the four types of pathological identification mentioned above, each of which is generated in one of the two systems (the aggressive system and the fragile system). In the aggressive system, neural transmissions of denial are expressed as (punitive object →) bad object → punitive object → punitive self, and neural transmissions of projective identification are expressed as (punitive self →) bad self → punitive self → punitive object. In the fragile system, neural transmissions of denial are expressed as (grandiose object →) weak object → grandiose object → ideal self, and neural transmissions of projective identification are expressed as (ideal self →) weak self → ideal self → grandiose object (see section 31 on the clinical features of primitive defense mechanisms).


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Splitting

  Object factors cover a spectrum with the regulatory factors at one end and the defensive factors at the other. The self experiences the characteristics of both, each individual in a different way, while distinguishing between them. Experiencing both sides of the object factor spectrum is called "splitting." Typically in splitting, the idealized object is set on one end, and the grandiose object is set on the other. The grandiose object is changed into the bad object by the displeasure-dispatch route.

  In clinical cases, however, a non-typical type of splitting which originates in different psychodynamics is more frequently observed. Such splitting originates only in the grandiose object. The grandiose object activates the ideal self through the narcissistic type of pathological identification on the one hand and activates the punitive self through the displeasure-dispatch route, repression and the sadistic type of pathological identification on the other. When the grandiose object generates the activation of the ideal self, it tends to be experienced as the "good object," and when it generates the activation of the punitive self, it tends to be experienced as the "bad object." Once the regulation system is formed, splitting no longer occurs.


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Basic defense preparation

  Being opposed to each other, the punitive self (self-defensive factor in the aggressive system) and the grandiose object (object-defensive factor in the fragile system) bring the two systems into balance. The psychodynamics of these mental states are called the "basic defense preparation," an important concept especially concerning the psychopathologies (psychodynamics) of psychoses (schizophrenia and manic-depressive disorders). The basic defense preparation refers specifically to "remission" of psychoses. The opposition between the punitive self and the grandiose object in pathological states corresponds to antisocial personality disorders and paranoid (delusional) personality disorders. However, in the latter cases, the opposition between the punitive self and the grandiose object is unbalanced (because of the difference of their powers). For that reason, in these cases, the opposition between the punitive self and the grandiose object is not called the basic defense preparation. Furthermore, the opposition between the punitive self and the grandiose object in defensive states corresponds to what I call "irritable personality disorders." Insofar as regulatory factors are also activated in defensive states, mental states which do not correspond to the basic defense preparation are frequently observed.


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Defensive fluidity

  Competition between the regulatory factors and the defensive factors concerning the "differentiated" displeasing factors in defensive states creates conflict. In contrast, in psychoses, object-defensive factors and self-defensive factors alternate in functions concerning the "undifferentiated displeasing factors" and that leads to the defensive fluidity. The defensive fluidity indicates the psychodynamics of alternating function of the primitive defense mechanisms. In schizophrenia, the path is: basic defense preparation (remissive phase) ⇔ acute phase ⇔ chronic phase, and in manic-depressive disorders, the path is: basic defense preparation (remissive phase) ⇔ manic phase ⇔ depressive  phase. The basic defense preparation (the remissive phase) is observed in both schizophrenia and manic-depressive disorders, and these two types of disorders take different paths leading to the respective phases of the disorder. In pathological states, the defensive fluidity occurs in either system (of the aggressive system or the fragile system) where undifferentiated displeasing factors are present; conflicts occur in the other system where the displeasing factors have already been differentiated. In defensive states, the defensive fluidity does not occur; only conflicts occur.


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Interlocking movements among the displeasing factors

  The neural transmission represented as "defensive factor ← displeasing factor" indicates defense, and the neural transmission represented as "defensive factor → displeasing factor" indicates dissociation. When the neural transmission occurs right after dissociation, it happens that the displeasing factors in the same system will be activated through the perception sytem and the thinking system. The following is observed in the aggressive system: punitive object → bad object (→ perception system) (→ thinking system) → bad self, or punitive self → bad self (→ thinking system) (→ perception system) → bad object. The following is observed in the fragile system: grandiose object → weak object (→ perception system) (→ thinking system) → weak self or ideal self → weak self (→ thinking system) (→ perception system) → weak object. When these neural transmissions occur, the regulatory factors constituting the loops of forgiveness and help are not activated. The displeasing factors which interlock indirectly with each other through the participation of the perception system and the thinking system are called "undifferentiated displeasing factors." Undifferentiated displeasing factors are expressed as bad self-object or weak self-object.


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Premonitory type of the closed cycle

  After the undifferentiated displeasing factors triggered by object-dissociation are defended by the self-defensive factors, they return to the object-defensive factors which are the origin of dissociation through pathological identification. This neural transmission is called the "premonitory type of the closed cycle." The following takes place in the aggressive system: punitive object → bad object → bad self → punitive self → punitive object, and the following takes place in the fragile system: grandiose object → weak object → weak self → ideal self → grandiose object. When these closed cycle occur, the self experiences a series of psychodynamic events in which the self feels object's anger or misery as self's own, and the self defends object's anger or misery as self's own. Moreover, the object defends anger or misery in the same way as self does. The premonitory type of the closed cycle is changed into the loop of forgiveness or the loop of help through the formation of the "closed cycle" in the aggressive system or the fragile system.


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Closed cycle in the aggressive system

  A closed cycle in the aggressive system is situated between the premonitory type of the closed cycle and the loop of forgiveness, and its neural transmission is: punitive object → bad object → rebellious self → bad self → punitive self → punitive object. The interlocking movements among the displeasing factors are ceased, because the rebellious self is formed identified with the rebellious object introjected, and is activated. However, the apologetic object has not yet been introjected, and the fear-induced type of pathological identification is activated. The undifferentiated displeasing factor, which is "bad object," is becoming differentiated, and the loop of forgiveness is not formed. In the clinical context, the formation of a closed cycle in the aggressive system leads to the relationship of mutual hatred in treatment. Incidentally, the introjection of the apologetic object does not occur preceding the introjection of the rebellious object.


                                     Basic Concepts (Ⅱ)

Closed cycle in the fragile system

  A closed cycle in the fragile system is situated between the premonitory type of the closed cycle in the fragile system and the loop of help. There are two types of the closed cycles, the narcissistic type and dependent type.

  Neural transmissions in the narcissistic type of the closed cycle are: ideal self→ weak self → idealized object → weak object → grandiose object → ideal self. That represents the psychodynamics of being enraptured (being captivated), in which the narcissistic type of pathological identification is still present although the idealized object is introjected.

  Neural transmissions in the dependent type of the closed cycle are: ideal self → grandiose object → weak object → grandiose self → weak self → ideal self. This type of neural transmission starts with the dependent type of pathological identification (involvement), and the activation of the idealized object is ceased although the grandiose self, which is formed identified with the idealized object introjected, is activated. This is the psychodynamics of meddling (unnecessary interference, restraint with involvement).


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Transitional phenomena

  When self (here, male) tries to feel his own anger and misery within his caregiver (punitive object or grandiose object) but cannot, self then forms a divided object to supply those same feelings to himself. That divided object indicates a "transitional phenomenon (transitional object)." Transitional phenomena (transitional objects) promote the characteristics of bad emotion (diffusion to others) in the aggressive system, while they arise against the characteristics of weak emotion (convergence to self) in the fragile system.

  Undifferentiated displeasing factor brought about by self-dissociation (after successive objectification of self and subjectivization of object) is not defended by the object defensive factor. And its neural stimulus is sent back to the self-defensive factor which is the origin of dissociation. Object-dissociation occurs right after pathological identification starting from the self-defensive factor. This object-dissociation is called a transitional phenomenon. In the aggressive system, the following neural transmissions take place: punitive self → bad self → bad object → bad self → punitive self → punitive object →bad objcet. In the fragile system, the following neural transmissions take place: ideal self → weak self → weak object → weak self → ideal self → grandiose object → weak object. When transitional phenomena occur, it is necessary that self-dissociation (the fragmented self) should be generated before object-dissociation (the divided object). Even when self-dissociation is generated, transitional phenomena do not occur without the immediate generation of object-dissociation. And even when object-dissociation is generated, transitional phenomena do not occur without the occurrence of self-dissociation.


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Denial or Premonitory type of the closed cycle

  Both denial and the premonitory type of the closed cycle are found in both systems, aggressive system and fragile system. Denial is one of the primitive defense mechanisms when undifferentiated displeasing factors are present. The premonitory type of the closed cycle is not a primitive defense mechanism because it is not always prescribed by the presence of undifferentiated displeasing factors. (The premonitory type of the closed cycle can be generated even in generally healthy persons.) Both are characterized by object dissociation, which is the starting point of neural transmissions. However, the path of neural transmissions divides after object-dissociation. In denial, the neural transmission stops at the self-defensive factors (through repression of the object-displeasing factor and pathological identification). In contrast, in the premonitory type of the closed cycle, the neural transmission generally returns to the object-defensive factors (through the subjectivization of object, repression of the self-displeasing factors, and pathological identification). Moreover, the premonitory type of the closed cycle has the peculiarity of disappearing when transitional phenomena occur.


                                       Basic Concept (Ⅱ)

Pathological identification or Primitive defense mechanisms

  What are the differences between pathological identification and primitive defense mechanisms? Pathological identification is the self-experience that both the self and others share the characteristics of the defensive factors. The self synergistically experiences fear and murderous intent during pathological identification in the aggressive system and omnipotence and perfection during pathological identification in the fragile system.

  When primitive defense mechanisms are at work, undifferentiated displeasing factors are present and the defensive fluidity occurs, and every such case is always preceded by either self-dissociation or object-dissociation. Is it possible for us to grasp such changes?  

  When projective identification occurs, self-dissociation in short, anxiety always precedes it. Anxiety caanot be generally observed from the outside because it is a subjective experience. However, anxiety can be sometimes observed as affective incontinence under radical treatment of psychosis or in cases of frequent sessions with schizophrenia in hospital treatment. Patients cry intensely and get angry, and after that, the occurrence of projective identification is observed.

  When denial occurs, object-dissociation always precedes it. It also can be found in minute observations during radical treatment or hospital treatment.  It is characterized by provocation and incapacitation (devaluation). A sensitive therapist would feel constantly provoked and incapacitated in his/her therapeutic relationships. Thus whether the therapist can discern the differences becomes very important in treatment.


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Perversive thinking

  The urge to break the object, which is generated through the displeasure-return route, attacks transitional objects generated by transitional phenomena. Its neural transmission takes a U-turn at the injured divided object, and is represented as: injured divided object (fetish) → grandiose object → ideal self. This is called "perversive thinking," and it is the psychodynamics of despair. Perversive thinking is the foundation of sexual perversion (and the fear of self-smell or the fear of ugliness etc.), at the same time, it is an importan  neural transmission through which despair or depression are generated.


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Self-reproach cycle

  There is another important neural transmission in addition to "identification with the omnipotent" caused by the narcissistic type of pathological identification and "identification with the aggressor" caused by the sadistic type of pathological identification. That transmission is the psychodynamics of considering punishment as the ideal (punitive object → ideal self), and it leads to a sense of duty. This is the original form of Freud's super-ego, and principle of law. Of course, the present judicial system is constructed around the rebellious subjectivity. But it does not necessarily follow that health of mind is reflected in the judicial system itself. And there is the possibility that legal judgement may socially and mentally involve pathological phenomena, because the principle of law is made up wholly through the interlocking movements among the defensive factors. But this must be considered part of the human condition, which drives us to live in groups and to perpetuate our species.


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