Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

07:20
Observing the Transformation of Bodily Self-consciousness in the Squeeze-machine Experiment
Published on: March 8, 2019
14.7K
Summary
Difficulties in establishing a psychic skin can distort self-experiences due to projective and identificatory issues. These problems create adhesive defenses against anxiety, posing technical challenges in psychoanalysis.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychoanalysis
- Psychotherapy
Background:
- Problems in establishing a psychic skin, as described by Bick and Meltzer, can impede self-experience.
- Difficulties in projective and identificatory processes are central to these issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the nature of problems related to the psychic skin.
- To consider clinical approaches for addressing these difficulties in psychoanalysis.
Main Methods:
- The study is primarily theoretical, drawing on psychoanalytic concepts.
- It examines the defensive use of adhesive projective and identificatory processes.
Main Results:
- Distortions in self-experience arise from failures in psychic skin establishment.
- Adhesive processes serve as a defense against anxiety, complicating analytical work.
Conclusions:
- Understanding psychic skin development is crucial for addressing self-experience distortions.
- Clinical strategies are needed to manage the technical difficulties presented by adhesive defenses in analysis.
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