Neurotic ambivalence in children who act-out

Abstract

THEORY: Ambivalence, designating the coexistence within a subject of love and hate for the same object, was differentiated into two, qualitatively different types. Normal ambivalence was held to comprise positive and negative affects felt for an object because of the reality characteristics of that object, these affects being free of anxiety. Neurotic ambivalence was held to comprise positive and negative affects felt for an object when both of the affects are associated with anxiety. Except with regard to the parent or parent substitute, neurotic ambivalence is not based on the reality characteristics of the object but is the result of displacement. PREDICTIONS: In a situation where the child is confronted with an adult whose power and disposition toward him are unknown and who thus cannot be an object of rational affect, the delinquent child will display an intense, equal, neurotic ambivalence; the neurotic behavior problem child will display an intense, hostile or negative, neurotic ambivalence; the over-compliant child will display an intense, loving or positive, neurotic ambivalence; and the normal child will display neurotic affects of a low intensity [TRUNCATED]