Abstract

MINERBO, Marion. Contributions to a theory about the constitution of the cruel superego. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2015, vol.49, n.4, pp. 73-89. ISSN 0486-641X.

The author outlines a theory of the constitution of the cruel superego. The unconscious of the primary object has a leading role in this constitution. Because of the angst related to his own paranoid nucleus (paranoid core), the object defends his narcissism by unconsciously attacking the narcissism of the infans with beta elements that can be characterized as thanatic. The developing psyche defends itself from this attack by using two primary defenses: the cleavage and the identification with the aggressor. These defenses create the psychic core (psychic nucleus) we call cruel superego. The author presents two clinical vignettes in order to attempt to identify these beta elements, and to understand how they act. The first vignette allows us to recognize a form of psychic abuse in which the object forces the child to "pay the bill" for the psychic work that he or she cannot perform. The second vignette reveals the relationships between some features of the superego (hatred of ego, tyrannical control, lack of empathy) and the intolerance of the paranoid aspect of the object to the manifestations of the infans subjectivity.

Keywords : cruel superego; beta elements; cleavage; identification with the aggressor; paranoid core (paranoid nucleus).

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