You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
Joerge Bose's paper highlighted the essential aspects of shame, which he views as a predominant affect and as an aspect of the psychology of many patients. His discussion encompassed a variety of theoretical approaches including interpersonal, self-psychological, and classical. This discussion incorporated a dynamic understanding of the concept of shame, as well as its developmental antecedents.
Shame was defined as an affect that results from difficulty in measuring up to one's expectations. These expectations or standards are often grandiose and derive from the demands of the ego ideal. Shame can manifest itself in low self-esteem and an inhibition of self-expression and self-consciousness, which can often be quite extreme and crippling.
At times, shame is experienced by the person as resulting from the critical attitude of others. It is frequently expressed as rage and anger, which obscure the person's underlying feelings of shame. Rage is also experienced when one is unable to measure up to his or her grandiose ego ideal. Excessive activity is additionally utilized to hide or counteract this painful affective experience.
Bose presented two clinical cases of individuals suffering from severe feelings of shame with different defensive structures. One person coped with her feelings of shame through retreat and withdrawal. The other utilized self-aggrandizement, which was often unsuccessful. These different adaptive strategies would require different therapeutic stances, which were highlighted by the presenter.
Bose views the goal of treatment as assisting the individual to internalize unconditional self-acceptance. This treatment would inevitably incorporate a sense of separateness, autonomy, and positive self-image. It would aid in healthy self-expression as opposed to a need or compulsion to impress others to compensate for perceived deficiencies.
Edward Clemmens discussed Bose's paper and the concept of shame from a Horneyan perspective. He was highly respectful of B