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Who's afraid of the Wolfe couple: the interlocking traumatic scene
The Journal of Analytical Psychology
|April 1, 2006
Summary
Intimate relationships involve navigating past emotional baggage, termed a "malignant dowry," which can create interlocking traumatic scenes between partners. Therapy can help by reframing the therapist
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Intimate Relationships
- Psychoanalytic Theory
Background:
- Intimate relationships necessitate managing unresolved psychological complexes from past experiences.
- These complexes can manifest as unconscious relational patterns, termed a 'malignant dowry'.
- This dynamic contributes to an 'interlocking traumatic scene' within partnerships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the concept of the 'interlocking traumatic scene' in intimate relationships.
- To analyze the unconscious dynamics and 'malevolent third' forces in marital conflict.
- To introduce therapeutic interventions using the 'anti-director' and 'conjoint selected fact' concepts.
Main Methods:
- Psychoanalytic conceptualization of relationship dynamics.
- Metaphorical analysis of interpersonal conflict as a 'traumatic scene'.
- Introduction of novel therapeutic concepts: 'anti-director' and 'conjoint selected fact'.
Main Results:
- Partners can unconsciously engage in a shared 'interlocking traumatic scene'.
- This scene involves superimposed individual 'shadow plays' and a co-created third play.
- Defensive systems create a deadlock, appearing as a 'malevolent third' entity.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the 'interlocking traumatic scene' is crucial for relationship therapy.
- Therapeutic interventions can reframe the relational dynamic and the therapist's role.
- The 'conjoint selected fact' offers a new perspective for analyzing relationship patterns.
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