A study of individual differences in idealization.
Item
-
Title
-
A study of individual differences in idealization.
-
Identifier
-
AAI9130377
-
identifier
-
9130377
-
Creator
-
Steig, Lucinda.
-
Contributor
-
Adviser: I. H. Paul
-
Date
-
1991
-
Language
-
English
-
Publisher
-
City University of New York.
-
Subject
-
Psychology, Clinical | Psychology, General
-
Abstract
-
This is an exploratory study of idealization carried out with college students. The study had three aspects: (1) The design of a group-administered test to assess individual differences in idealization. While most previous studies in non-psychiatric populations have assessed idealization of specific people in subjects' personal lives, this study focused on a general disposition to idealize others. (2) In-depth, follow-up interviews exploring personal experiences relating to idealization. (3) An investigation of the relationship, proposed by Heinz Kohut, between childhood loss of the parent and idealization.;The Idealization Test, designed to evoke an immediacy of emotional response, consists of 24 photographs of celebrities along with a five-point rating scale. It was meant to be a flexible model for future tests; other arrays of current well-known, idealizable figures could be used. Follow-up rating scales assessed subjects' familiarity with and interest in each figure and a questionnaire included items pertaining to childhood loss. A detailed statistical analysis of the data for 94 students indicates that the test is capable of discovering individual differences in the use of idealization. However, false negative readings are possible and it only roughly assesses degree of idealization. Possible effects of ethnic/racial identification are discussed.;Follow-up interviews were carried out with six women students who showed marked idealization on the test ("Highs") and five who did not ("Lows"). A clinical analysis of the transcripts indicated that Highs had had more problematic experiences with parents than had the Lows, particularly three who had notably supportive, satisfying relationships with at least one parent.;It was hypothesized that subjects who had lost a parent through break-up of the parents' marriage or through death would show more idealization on the Idealization Test than subjects from intact homes. This hypothesis was statistically confirmed with the 94 students in this study, lending support to Kohut's formulations regarding loss and idealization. In addition, the interview observations lend some support to Kohut's position that disappointments in the idealized object may also be related to an ongoing need to idealize others.
-
Type
-
dissertation
-
Source
-
PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
-
degree
-
Ph.D.
