Patterns of neurotic interaction. A study of empathy and enkinesis in interpersonal relationships.

Abstract

Empathy and enkinesis--its psychomotor counterpart--are described as two basic functions of the ego, responsible for such diverse patterns of interaction between person and person as sharing, resisting and complementary reactions. Both empathy and enkinesis are subject to a variety of distortions and exaggerations. If so, they may become major factors in the dynamics of neurotic family situations. Several instances of interlacing neurotic patterns, involving parent and child, are described, illustrating the importance of a tendency to sharing and to complementary reactions in the etiology of neurotic reactions in one member of the family group, while it is assumed that patterns of resisting and rebelling may tend to reduce the danger of neurotic disorder in another member, exposed to similar neurotic influences. It is pointed out that the patterns of interaction described are largely based on unconscious perception. The ways in which such intercommunication comes about are briefly discussed.