Martyr complex

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In psychology, a person who has a martyr complex (or martyrdom complex) desires the feeling of being a martyr for their own sake and seeks out suffering or persecution because it either feeds a physical and/or psychological need, or a desire to avoid responsibility. In some cases, this results from the belief that the martyr has been singled out for persecution because of exceptional ability or integrity. [1] Other martyr complexes involve willful suffering in the name of love or duty. This has been observed especially in poor families, as well as in codependent or abusive relationships. [2] [3] It can also involve self-sacrifice and duty in the name of a collective, or for other people generally, rather than for oneself only. [4] The desire for martyrdom is sometimes considered a form of masochism. [5] Allan Berger, however, described it as one of several patterns of "pain/suffering seeking behavior", including asceticism and penance. [6] Theologian Paul Johnson considers such beliefs a topic of concern for the mental health of clergy. [7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Davis, Sheldon E. (September 1945). "What Are Modern Martyrs Worth?". Peabody Journal of Education. 23 (2): 67–68. doi:10.1080/01619564509535934.
  2. ↑ Lewis, Oscar (October–December 1949). "Husbands and Wives in a Mexican Village: A Study of Role Conflict". American Anthropologist. 51 (4): 602–610. doi: 10.1525/aa.1949.51.4.02a00050 .
  3. ↑ Kutner, Nancy G. (March 1975). "The Poor Vs. the Non-poor: an Ethnic and Metropolitan-Nonmetropolitan Comparison". The Sociological Quarterly. 16 (2): 250–263. doi:10.1111/j.1533-8525.1975.tb00943.x.
  4. ↑ Olivola, Christopher & Shafir, Elgar. (December 2023). “The Martyrdom Effect: When Pain and Effort Increase Prosocial Contributions”. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 26(1), 91-105. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdm.767
  5. ↑ Seligman, David B. (May 1970). "Masochism". Australasian Journal of Philosophy. 48 (1): 67–75. doi:10.1080/00048407012341471.
  6. ↑ Berger, Allen S. (September 2003). "Choosing to Suffer: Reflections on an Enigma". Journal of Religion and Health. 42 (3): 251–255. doi:10.1023/A:1024843702805.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Paul E. (January 1970). "The emotional health of the clergy". Journal of Religion and Health. 9 (1): 50–59. doi:10.1007/BF01533165. PMID   24420304.
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