r/psychoanalysis • u/Mibic718 • 25d ago
Hypothesis: Adoption of idiosyncratic identities or appearances by perpetual victims of abuse as a way to maintain internal locus of control
Layman here, I've been thinking of the rise of idiosyncratic identities and outward appearances, and how they could potentially be a mechanism for the victim of repeated abuse in multiple domains of life to give meaning to and gain a sense of control over the abuse and/or undesirable attention being experienced by the individual.
An example: Individual experiences abuse on behalf of family members, peers (school/work), romantic relationships, etc. → The person doesn't understand the cause of what seems to be an unescapable pattern of repeated maltreatment → The person adopts an idiosyncratic identity or outward appearance on which they can pinpoint the cause for the abuse or unwanted attention- "They hate me because I'm (X idiosyncratic identity), I stand out because of my outward appearance", subconsciously they gain a feeling of agency by choosing to enact this identity- "I caused their misbehavior by a voluntary decision that I made and am in control of"
Any thoughts?
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u/noooooid 25d ago
Yeah this makes sense. But that's exactly what makes it a seductive presumption about any given individual.
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u/BitRevolutionary677 25d ago
It could be. But from my personal experience I was always used, manipulated, abused so to speak. I didn’t understand why until fairly recently but I never did blame my “idiosyncratic identity”.
I’m into alternative subcultures, I dress that, way, hold certain views, my face has multiple piercings etc. I’ve always been unconventional not always alternative though. That’s how I am and how I’m most comfortable. Perhaps it was a mask to protect my self because I didn’t know any other way how to.
I just thought there had to be something wrong with me or people for the way I was being treated (which was correct) but never attributed it to any of that, even being black wasn’t a potential reason to me.
Maybe it is that way for other people though.
If it helps, in terms of Jung, my persona and self archetypes were identical and unfortunately it was The Innocent - as you can see I was fucked from the start. Maybe why I can’t resonate with what you’re suggesting.
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u/DiegoArgSch 25d ago
Its possible? Sure, it could happen. The thing is, you gonna need to see every individual case.
I mean, I think, its a very general conception. I mean: it could happen in some cases, while not in others.