Document Detail


The narcissistic exoskeleton: the defensive organization of the rage-type murderer.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11999101     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
After outlining the characteristics of rage-type murder, the author reviews possible psychodynamic explanations of the predisposing personality and the act itself. He argues that more recent contributions, using an object relations perspective, best account for the complexity of the internal world of these offenders. Using a single case to illustrate observations drawn from his work with nine offenders, the author sets out to develop an understanding of the defensive organization present in these apparently normal murderers. He isolates a defensive system comprising a set of split object relations that correspond with a split between internal and external reality, which he calls the "narcissistic exoskeleton." Projective and introjective processes that support the defensive organization are discussed. It is suggested that such a profile typifies a particular kind of stable borderline personality organization.
Authors:
Duncan Cartwright
Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic     Volume:  66     ISSN:  0025-9284     ISO Abbreviation:  Bull Menninger Clin     Publication Date:  2002  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-05-09     Completed Date:  2002-05-29     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7507032     Medline TA:  Bull Menninger Clin     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1-18     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Durban-Westville, Durban, South Africa. duncanc@pixie.udw.ac.za
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Borderline Personality Disorder / psychology
Defense Mechanisms*
Homicide / psychology*
Humans
Male
Models, Psychological*
Narcissism*

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