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Updated: Jul 12, 2025

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Passivity as a defence and disguised destructiveness.

Ursula Ostendorf1

  • 1German Psychoanalytical Association, Hamburg, Germany.

The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis
|October 30, 2023
PubMed
Summary

This paper explores passivity, its defense mechanisms, and psychoanalytic perspectives. It examines Freud

Area of Science:

  • Psychoanalytic theory
  • Psychodynamic psychology

Background:

  • Passivity is a complex psychological state with various conceptualizations.
  • Understanding passivity is crucial in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe diverse viewpoints and defense mechanisms of passivity.
  • To analyze Sigmund Freud's categorization and evolving perspective on passivity.
  • To explore the links between the superego, passivity, and masochism.

Main Methods:

  • Review of psychoanalytic literature, focusing on Freud, Melanie Klein, and Betty Joseph.
  • Analysis of clinical observations and insights into passivity and masochism.
  • Case illustration to demonstrate countertransference as an access point to masochism.
Keywords:
Defencemasochismpassivity

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Main Results:

  • Passivity is closely linked to the superego and masochism.
  • Melanie Klein's work highlights the significance of the internal object world.
  • Countertransference offers insights into masochism and destructiveness.

Conclusions:

  • Psychoanalytic perspectives on passivity have evolved significantly.
  • Clinical experiences, particularly with countertransference, are vital for understanding passivity and masochism.
  • The internal object world plays a key role in the manifestation of passivity.