Discussion of Papers by Dr McDougall and Dr Glasser: Panel on Identification in the Perversions

Identification pertains to behavioural and psychological phenomena indicating that the individual thinks of himself in the role of some other person. Following Freud's early ideas, many analysts continue to regard identification as the consequence of a fantasy of having incorporated the object into one's self. This concept has led some analysts to distinguish between partial and total identification. Identification is never total. In his paper, Glasser seems to represent identification as a passive process, in which the subject sees a great and present danger of annihilation. Identifications, however, are the individual's method of responding to intrapsychic conflict, providing some opportunity for gratification, defence and even adaptation. Perversions represent the acting out of phallic masturbation fantasies. They portray not only the identifications the patient has effected, but also wish fulfilment and an overwhelming need for protection against both aggression and danger. In the case presented by McDougall, it should be pointed out that no matter what other factors pertain, perversions constitute problems of gender identity. Pre-oedipal object relations and conflicts carry over into the oedipal phase and have some influence on the resolution of crucial conflicts. Evidence, however, indicates that identifications effected during the oedipal phase are decisive in the development of perversions.