Two Forms of Aggression in Obsessional Neurosis. A Clinical Contribution to the Therapy of the Obsessional Neurosis: Edmund Bergler. Psa. Rev. XXIX, 1942, pp. 188-196.

Bergler, discussing the nature of the aggressiveness of the obsessional neurotic, points out that there are two components to this pattern of beha ior: the one, original aggression, which can only be understood genetically, and the other, which, nearer to the surface but also unconscious, serves as a defense against passive wishes of the patient. This latter type he calls 'pseudo aggression'. It is his impression that the tendency to ignore the second component explains the poor results that have been obtained in the treatment of these cases.

Bergler then summarizes a previous paper of his, in which he described the narcissistic gratification derived from the behavior of the obsessional neurotic. The mechanisms of this narcissistic gratification are (1) the inner contradiction of all compulsive rules by means of which the superego is reduced ad absurdum, (2) the direct disparagement of the superego by means of the acceptance of outside authority, (3) the crudity of the compulsion, which again belittles the superego, and (4) the mechanism of guided miracles, serving the same function. These mechanisms are a part of the attempt by the patient to utilize aggression as a defense against anal passive surrender. He concludes with the general technical rule: 'When obsessional neurotics show aggression, we must find out against what anal passive wish they are trying to defend themselves by means of aggression'.