Freud’s Writings on Masochism Examined in Detail

Summary

Finding an explanation of masochism was a problem which occupied Freud throughout his career. It led him to radical revision of basic psychoanalytic theory. His writings on masochism, or more accurately, sadomasochism, are therefore considered in detail chronologically and their accuracy is examined in the light of direct personal observation over more than twenty years. Tracing the evolution of his views has also entailed consideration of what he meant by the term ‘instinct’. Freud’s exposition of sadomasochism has evoked much critical response over time. Only a selection of comment is undertaken here: those commentaries dealing (a) with masochism in women, (b) with the validity of his proposed etiology of beating fantasies, and (c) with the development of his conceptualization of masochism and its practical repercussions. The value of such critique and development of theory is recognized, but the accuracy of Freud’s portrait of masochism is upheld.