Repetition-Compulsion: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Repetition-compulsion, also known as the repetition compulsion, is a psychological phenomenon in which a person repeatedly behaves in a certain way despite the negative consequences doing so may bring. It is thought to be a form of defense mechanism that is used to protect a person from feeling anxious or stressed about a certain situation. It is most commonly seen in people who have been exposed to trauma, such as those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Repetition-compulsion has been studied for many years, and its causes and effects are still being explored.
Definition
Repetition-compulsion is defined as a psychological phenomenon in which a person engages in a behavior or action that has a negative outcome, despite knowing the outcome it will bring. The behavior is typically done out of a need for safety or protection, and is thought to be a form of defense mechanism. It is most commonly seen in people who have experienced some form of trauma, such as those with PTSD.
History
The concept of repetition-compulsion was first introduced by Sigmund Freud in his book, “Beyond the Pleasure Principle” (1920). Freud described the phenomenon as a “compulsion to repeat” in order to protect oneself from anxiety and distress. He noted that it was most commonly seen in people who had experienced some kind of trauma, and argued that it was a form of defense mechanism used by the unconscious mind to protect itself.
In the years since, repetition-compulsion has been widely studied and discussed in the psychological field. It has been observed in various forms, such as in the behavior of children who have experienced abuse, as well as in adults with PTSD.
Characteristics
Repetition-compulsion is characterized by a person engaging in a behavior or action despite knowing the negative outcome it will bring. It is thought to be a form of defense mechanism, and is typically done out of a need for safety or protection. The behavior is often done in an effort to control a situation, and is usually done in an unconscious way. It is commonly observed in people who have experienced some kind of trauma, such as those with PTSD.
Conclusion
Repetition-compulsion is a psychological phenomenon in which a person engages in a behavior or action despite knowing the negative outcome it will bring. It is thought to be a form of defense mechanism used to protect oneself from feeling anxious or stressed about a certain situation. It is most commonly seen in people who have experienced some form of trauma, such as those with PTSD. While the causes and effects of repetition-compulsion are still being explored, it is clear that it is an important phenomenon that needs to be further studied.
References
Freud, S. (1920). Beyond the pleasure principle. S.E., 18, 3-64.
Bowlby, J. (1951). Maternal care and mental health. New York: International Universities Press.
van der Kolk, B. A., & Fisler, R. (1995). Dissociation and the fragmentary nature of traumatic memories: Overview and exploratory study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8(4), 505-525.
Kilpatrick, D. G., Resnick, H. S., & Freedy, J. (1994). The effects of interpersonal violence on trauma symptoms, avoidance behaviors, and psychological distress. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 7(2), 221-247.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2005). Developmental trauma disorder: Toward a rational diagnosis for children with complex trauma histories. Psychiatric Annals, 35(5), 401-408.