Masochism and the Emergent Ego

Esther Menaker - Edited by Leila Lerner

Esther Menaker sees the ego as an evolutionary achievement emerging from the relational matrix of mother and child and the product of numerous psychosocial forces. She places particular emphasis on the individual's self-esteem as reflected in both the developing ego-ideal and the sense of identity. The full depth and originality of her thought is clearly illustrated in these papers, which center on three vital issues: masochism, identification and the social process, and creativity. For example, in a unique contribution, she shows how masochism, which she sees as stemming from the child's original dependence on its mother, is a major modality of character formation that precipitates the child's fear of separation and his struggle for individuation.

Dr. Menaker delineates a holistic and developmental conception of personality that stresses the individual's integrative capacities to bring forth a new synthesis of the self.

Jason Aronson, Inc.

Pages: 370 •

978-1-56821-837-3 • Paperback • May 1996 • $102.00 • (£78.00)

978-1-4617-3333-1 • eBook • May 1996 • $96.50 • (£74.00)

Subjects: Psychology / Human Sexuality, Psychology / Creative Ability, Psychology / Interpersonal Relations

Masochism and the Emergent Ego

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Esther Menaker sees the ego as an evolutionary achievement emerging from the relational matrix of mother and child and the product of numerous psychosocial forces. She places particular emphasis on the individual's self-esteem as reflected in both the developing ego-ideal and the sense of identity. The full depth and originality of her thought is clearly illustrated in these papers, which center on three vital issues: masochism, identification and the social process, and creativity. For example, in a unique contribution, she shows how masochism, which she sees as stemming from the child's original dependence on its mother, is a major modality of character formation that precipitates the child's fear of separation and his struggle for individuation.

Dr. Menaker delineates a holistic and developmental conception of personality that stresses the individual's integrative capacities to bring forth a new synthesis of the self.

Details

Jason Aronson, Inc.

Pages: 370 •

978-1-56821-837-3 • Paperback • May 1996 • $102.00 • (£78.00)

978-1-4617-3333-1 • eBook • May 1996 • $96.50 • (£74.00)

Subjects: Psychology / Human Sexuality, Psychology / Creative Ability, Psychology / Interpersonal Relations

Author

Esther Menaker, Ph.D., is Clinical Professor of Psychology in the Post-doctoral Program for Training in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy of New York University. She is a recipient of the Annual Award for Outstanding Contributors to the Science and Profession of Clinical Psychology, and the Distinguished Service Award, presented by the New York Society of Clinical Psychologists and the Division of Psychoanalysis of the American Psychological Association (Division 39), respectively. She has authored many papers and books, including Ego in Evolution (with William Menaker), Otto Rank: A Rediscovered Legacy, and Misplaced Loyalties.

Leila Lerner is the editor for special issues of The Psychoanalytic Review. In addition to her extensive work as a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist, Ms. Lerner is a senior member, supervisor, and faculty member of the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis.

Masochism and the Emergent Ego

Esther Menaker - Edited by Leila Lerner

Masochism and the Emergent Ego

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