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rx
character typology
Introduction
psychospiritual approaches
definition
THE CHARACTER STRUCTURE OF REICH AND LOWEN:
Wilhelm Reich was, in a sense, the originator of all western body-mind approaches when he broke from Sigmund Freud in the 1930's by extending psychoanalytic theory to include physical structure. This work was expanded by his students, then the Neo-Reichians, and especially by Alexander Lowen, who developed Bioenergetic Analysis. Their basic tenet is that emotional response to early life experience creates character structure found in both the physical and emotional body, which then forms the basis for a life-long pattern of relationships to oneself and the outside world.
As Alexander Lowen explained: "The character of the individual as it is manifested in a typical pattern of behavior is also portrayed on the somatic level by the form and movement of the body. The sum total of the muscular tensions is seen as a gestalt ... and constitutes the 'body expression' of the organism. The body expression is the somatic view of the typical emotional expression which is seen on the psychic level as 'character'." (Dychtwald, p. 9)
What follows in these next cards is a brief description of the major Character typologies: etiology, characteristics, physical appearance, strengths and life orientation. Descriptive titles are from Ron Kurtz's Body Centered Psychotherapy, with classical, analytic terms shown in parentheses. An overview of the types is taken from a chart compiled by Pat Ogden in the Hakomi Training Manual. Various therapies which use aspects of this knowledge include: Reichian and Bioenergetic Analysis, Hakomi Method, Feldenkrais, Alexander, Rolf, and Process Psychology.
NOTE: These character descriptions are oversimplifications of the patterns, all of which occur in varying degrees in all of us. They may be used to understand the effects of certain developmental traumas, but may be detrimental when used categorically or as a label from which to make specific inference in one particular case.
(Wambach and Daggett)
see:
body reveals: the spirit
character typology: Sensitive/Withdrawn (Schizoid)
character typology: Dependent/Endearing (Oral)
character typology: Self-Reliant/Independent (Compensated Oral)
character typology: Tough/Generous (Psychopath 1)
character typology: Charming/Manipulative (Psychopath 2)
character typology: Burdened/Enduring (Masochist)
character typology: Expressive/Clinging (Hysteric)
character typology: Industrious/Overfocused (Phallic)
exploratory or investigative?
process paradigm
Reichian therapy
subjective inquiry approach
the shadow and physical symptoms
footnotes