THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SATANIC CULT INVOLVEMENT: AN ...

159
differentiation of experience into self and object components: "Introjects are structural
components ofthe psychic system which enjoy a certain autonomy that allows them to be
distinguished from ego components" (Meissner, 1981, p. 25).
Following Klein (1948), one needs to distinguish between primitive and mature
introjection, based on the extent to which negative and positive aspects ofthe introject are
either integrated or actively separated into dualistic qualities of absolute good and bad.
Integrated introjects, realistic composites ofnegative and positive qualities, are referred to
as whole objects. Split introjects, resulting from the subject's defensive dissociation of
objects' perceived good and bad qualities, are termed part-objects, since the object is
separated in fantasy into polarised attributes, each of which is related to as a separate
object rather than different aspects ofthe same composite object.
9.3.2 Splitting
Splitting describes a defensive process involving "an unconscious phantasy by which the
ego can split itself off from the perception of an unwanted aspect of itself, or can split an
object into two or more objects in order to locate polarised, immiscible qualities
separately" (Grotstein, 1981, p. 3). Defensive splitting, as defined by Klein (1921),
originally involves a cleavage in the experience of the primary object, into contradictory
good and bad aspects. However, every split in object experience is accompanied by a
split in the individual's self experience as well. Consequently split objects, embodying
opposite qualities, are related to by the split selves, "which correspond to identifications
with relative perceptions of the objects" (Grotstein, 1981, p. 10). Splitting may be
microscopic, and relatively subtle in its manifestation, or macroscopic, as may be seen in
extreme dissociative phenomena. The significance of splitting is that the individual,
having separated global self-experience into stark dualities, perceives the negative aspect
to be an alien entity which, when re-introjected, is experienced as a foreign presence
inside the self.
It is now recognised that the phenomenon of dissociation of personalities is more
widespread and universal than had earlier been thought: "It is a universal experience of
I ~9