Character Structures Flashcards
What is a Character Structure?
Character Structures are habitual patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that develop as adaptations to early life experiences and shape an individual’s personality. Character Structures represent patterns that evolve as psychological defenses against early trauma or unmet needs. While useful for understanding personality, they are broad generalizations and can overlap depending on an individual’s unique experiences.
Describe a Schizoid Character Structure
Core issue: Early rejection, fear of annihilation, or lack of safety in connection.
* Traits: * Withdrawal from relationships or excessive detachment. * Preference for fantasy or intellectualization over emotional engagement. * Fear of being overwhelmed by others. * Example: A highly introverted individual who avoids intimacy and prefers solitary pursuits, feeling that connection is dangerous.
Describe an Oral Character Structure
Core issue: Early deprivation, lack of nurturing, or emotional abandonment.
* Traits: * Dependency on others for emotional security. * Neediness, longing, or feelings of emptiness. * Difficulty with self-sufficiency or excessive clinginess. * Example: Someone who often seeks validation from friends or partners, feeling unworthy when left alone.
Describe a Masochistic Character Structure
Core issue: Early experiences of shame, criticism, or humiliation.
* Traits: * Tendency to endure suffering, self-sacrifice, or frustration. * Passive-aggressive tendencies. * Difficulty expressing anger or standing up for oneself. * Example: A person who stays in an unhappy relationship because they feel they must tolerate the discomfort.
Describe a Psychopathic Character Structure
Core issue: Early betrayal or feeling controlled/manipulated.
* Traits: * Desire for control or dominance. * Manipulative behavior to avoid vulnerability. * Charismatic or narcissistic tendencies to mask insecurity. * Example: A highly confident leader who avoids emotional intimacy and manipulates others to maintain control.
Describe a Rigid Character Structure
Core issue: Early conditional love, where acceptance depended on achievement or conformity.
* Traits: * Perfectionism, fear of failure. * Difficulty accessing emotions, particularly vulnerability. * Overreliance on intellect or order. * Example: A high-achieving professional who struggles with spontaneity and feels unworthy if they fail to meet high standards.
Describe a Hysterical Character Structure
Core issue: Unresolved attachment or conflict about sexual identity and attention.
* Traits: * Dramatic or overly expressive behavior. * Seeking validation through appearance or emotional displays. * Underlying fear of being rejected or unloved. * Example: Someone who constantly seeks attention and approval, feeling anxious when not the center of focus.
Describe a Borderline Character Structure
Core issue: Fear of abandonment and unstable self-identity.
* Traits: * Emotional volatility and impulsivity. * Intense fear of rejection or being left alone. * Alternating idealization and devaluation in relationships. * Example: An individual who forms intense but unstable relationships, often shifting between closeness and distance.
