The Claustrum: An Investigation of Claustrophobic Phenomena (Working Paper,) Book

This book is a report of the work in progress on the phenomenology of Melanie Klein's concept of Projective Identification, with special reference to Intrusive Identification with Internal objects related to states of masturbatory excitement. This elucidation of the claustrophobic consequences fills out the already extensive literature on the identificatory manifestations. By delineating the compartmentalized structure of the interior of the internal mother's body, it is possible through clinical experience, particularly with the play of small children and the dreams of adults, to recognize the qualities of this interior world and to compare the congruence of forms and qualities by which it resembles yet greatly differs from the outside world. The light that this throws on the analytic situation with borderline patients and with adolescents is the main focus of the book, but its relevance for understanding the problems of character in neurotic and normal subjects, its relevance to perversions and addictions, and to attitudes, prejudice and political orientation are also examined.Read More