This new delineation of what I'm calling the "primal sexual imperatives" of the character structures is meant to serve as an addendum to the full descriptions of the character structures found HERE on the Full Permission Living blog, taken from the 5 classes I teach on the subject.
Each character structure has a set of embedded directives meant to divert, distort or inhibit our powerful natural urges for self-expression, in order to keep the ego in control of our thoughts, feelings and actions. What follows, then, are what the ego, unable to eliminate sexual urges and desires altogether, though it would if it could, seeks to manipulate and use sex for.
Each character structure has a set of embedded directives meant to divert, distort or inhibit our powerful natural urges for self-expression, in order to keep the ego in control of our thoughts, feelings and actions. What follows, then, are what the ego, unable to eliminate sexual urges and desires altogether, though it would if it could, seeks to manipulate and use sex for.
Schizoid Character Structure: Sex for Control
To the schizoid ego, the free flow of energy through the body, is a major perceived threat, an existential threat. "Life is hazardous to my life" is a core negative belief held by the person with this structure. Literally fearing disintegration and annihilation of the self if the life force isn't controlled and/or cut-off, this person co-opts sexual energy and uses any participation in sexual acts for the purpose of controlling that energy and ultimately the body itself.
Oral Character Structure: Sex for Nurturance
Although the person with this character structure isn't terrified of or cut-off from the life force and sexual energy within them, they are undercharged energetically as a result of living through an early history of deprivation or enmeshment with the primary caretaker of early childhood, and so, they live in an inner world of lack, deprivation and need. "There isn't enough" is the core negative belief adhered to here, and the sex act is seen as a possible way to get "filled up," nurtured, unconditionally loved. Orgasms are not highly charged, and secondary to the wish to be taken care of, which is the main purpose of sex for the oral character.
Masochistic Character Structure: Sex for Release
Charged with plenty of energy, including sexually, but judging and suppressing it and "packing it in" the muscles of the body, this CS desperately seeks release through sex, often compulsively so. "If I let my feelings out, I'll will create a big mess, but if I don't, I'll explode!" Says the masochistic ego, supporting the claim with another core negative primal belief in one's own "badness." Battling with the need for release versus the efforts to suppress it, orgasms, just like bowel movements, are pushed out with force against the clenched muscles.
Psychopathic Character Structure: Sex for Power
While the schizoid CS seeks control of its own body and energy, the psychopathic CS seeks to exert power over others. Lacking the capacity for basic trust and true empathy, the person with this CS believes others are always seeking the upper hand through lies and manipulation, so one can truly be trusted. Thus, the core negative primal belief goes something like this: "I must always be right, must never submit or surrender to the will of others, must dominate and seduce others to control them, by any means necessary." A true chameleon, a psychopathic character will appear to be whoever and whatever you wish, including a sexually skilled, tireless, attentive lover. In fact, this CS allows for very little genuine physical pleasure, due to the defense mechanism of numbing, so in spite of dramatic displays to the contrary, sex is a bleak experience to the person with this CS.
Rigid Character Structure: Sex for Validation
Considered the only "genital" character of the five major character structures, this person is bioenergetically fully functioning sexually. Orgasm and sexual pleasure are fully charged and accessible in the body, flowing freely, but... there is a caveat - the pleasurable experience is laced with an ego need for validation. The need to be seen as beautiful, talented, smart, fit, young, etc., the list goes on, along with the defining of every situation as a performance, all of that is funneled into sexual interactions with others who must also serve to validate the rigid CS by their high levels of performance and admired attributes. The the core negative primal belief: "I must always look good, appear together and be highly valued and praised for my accomplishments by significant others, who must also look good, appear together and be highly valued and praised for their accomplishments."
