Posted by Elizabeth on March 30, 2001 at 01:39:27:
In Reply to: Re: Fours have earlier (oral) issues that makes the situation completely different. nt posted by Tiggy on March 29, 2001 at 17:06:51:
> Please say more.
> I'm aware of my own orality because I like to have something in my mouth and I talk a lot. Also isn't orality linked with narcissism?
Some psychologists prefer to categorize two subtypes of narcissist. I tend to side with those who separate them completely into an "oral" character (type 4) and a narcissistic character (type 3).
Basically, the oral character (type 4) has issues centered around meeting his/her basic nurturance needs. The oral child feels abandoned before they are satisfied. (To illustrate literally: removed from the breast before they are finished suckling). As a result, they crave the warm, protection, and nurturance of the mother's body but feel that it is unattainable or that it will always be denied them. To complicate things, this forms before self/other differentiation so the 'mother' is part of themselves. In 'her' absence, they feel a part of themselves is lost. (Hence the type 4, in searching for their 'true' self, is in fact searching for the missing mother--> interesting that 4s deteriorate to type 2?)
External punishment matters much less to a 4, because their relationship with the other is still internal (which is perhaps what introversion is?). Their reactions to a punishment situation would be interpretted through their relationship to the internal mother (which becomes their idealized self? I think.).
I continue to work on this and eventually plan to post a development look at all types.