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Character types — hysterical, obsessive, sociopathic, etc. — probably do not exist in pure form. An individual's psychological repertoire usually includes features considered typical of various major types, or styles. Often, though, a typifying cluster of characteristics stands out in a given person's psychological makeup. That is, not only does he utilize relatively consistent patterns of perceiving, thinking, feeling and acting (Shapiro, 1965, pp. 1-4), but the bulk of his patterns seem to “fit” one or another major character type.
This paper describes one such “relatively consistent pattern,” an idiosyncratic reaction to perceived demands. The writer finds this phenomenon to be widely prevalent and important clinically, especially among psychotherapy patients demonstrating a marked preponderance of so-called obsessive compulsive behavioral traits, or features1 (APA, 1969, 1980; Nemiah, 1967; Shapiro, 1965, pp. 23-24). The clinical importance of demand-sensitivity stems from its noxious impact upon the individual's relationships, work, self-esteem, sense of identity and general ability to enjoy life. All of these issues will be discussed.
No attempt will be made to explain the causes or dynamics of the obsessional character as a whole. Rather, a single experiential-behavioral