Some Considerations in the Structure of the Self and Its Pathology

The author's intention is to contribute to the study of the structure of the self, both discussing the different processes of interiorisation and identification that play their parts in this development, and looking into the role played by the objects, and especially the superego. Interiorisation (the choice of this word is explained) is seen as a broad concept that covers incorporation, internalisation, introjection and introjective identification, and the dynamic of each of these mechanisms is discussed, along with its influence in the development of the structure of the self and of its constituent elements. Taking these concepts as a theoretical base, the author goes on to consider the field of ‘pathology of defect’ compared with the more classical pathology of conflict. Starting from the findings of different authors, especially Fairbairn and Kohut, he enlarges upon theoretical aspects of this ‘pathology of defect’ and its close relationship with Kohut's theories of narcissism, emphasising that, apart from other factors, an essential element in understanding this pathology is the development of the superego. Clinical material is presented to illustrate the theory.