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THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PSYCHODYNAMICS, psychopathology, and the determinants of sexual object choice have been the subject of recent controversy.
The Bieber group has proposed that exposure of an average child to a "classical" triangular family pattern would probably produce a homosexual adult (Bieber, 1962). Socarides (1968) has argued that homosexuality has a known etiology. In contrast, Marmor (1972) has questioned the legitimacy of discussing sexual object determination in terms of psychodynamic formulations.
The following case of a man raised by a detached, hostile father and a controlling, close-binding mother emphasizes areas of uncertainty. His development and psychopathology suggest significant pre-oedipal stresses; however, despite family background and partial maternal identification, the patient has always been heterosexual.
Mr. X was exposed to a triangular family pattern (Bieber, 1962) but never experienced homosexual urges. More important, even though he suffered from unusual symptoms, which virtually prove that his relationship with his mother was extremely conflictful and excessively close, his sexual feelings, fantasies, and acts have always been directed towards females.
A 36-year-old white married male presented for consultation suffering from discrete episodes of depersonalization—derealization and agitated depression generally persisting for 7 to 10 days. These