Yes, we adults, many times truly like to hate our enemies.
We enjoy creating fantasy scenarios and sometimes even real scenes where we get
back at those who have hurt us. Indeed, revenge is so popular that it is one of
the major themes in great literature from the Iliad to Star Wars. Why
is hatred so much fun? Well: How do I hate you? Let me count the ways!
(Apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning) Or at least begin to identify some of
the more important ways (Kernberg, 1990).
Showing posts with label Hatred. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hatred. Show all posts
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Psychology of Hatred: Part 1
In
general, hatred has been ignored both as an important characteristic of
personality and as a contributor to personal identity. Some psychoanalysts
(Klein, 1957; Kernberg, 1991; Akhtar, Kramer & Parens, 1995) and a few
other theorists (Gilligan, 1996) are
exceptions, but in general I believe it is correct to say that hatred and its
associated states such as rage and resentment have been neglected.
The
present short report is a modest attempt to remedy this neglect, at least to
some degree. First, we will need some definitions and then we will look at some
psychological theories about hatred’s origin. Next we will turn to why hatred
is so popular especially in relatively normal people (like you and me) and in
particular how it contributes to personal identity. We will then take up the
Christian understanding of hatred and of identity.
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