Having set the stage for Reich’s (1972, p. 155-156) presentation of a more detailed and systematic portrait of character aroma, Reich offers the following description:
[W]e have to deal with . . . the factors that cause the character to assume the definite form in which it is operative. In this connection, it is necessary to call to mind some attributes of every character reaction. The character consists in a chronic change of the ego which one might describe as a hardening. This hardening is the actual basis for the becoming chronic of the characteristic mode of reaction; its purpose is to protect the ego from external and internal dangers. As a protective formation that has become chronic, it merits the designation “armoring” for it clearly constitutes a restriction of the psychic mobility of the personality as a whole. This restriction is mitigated by the noncharacterological, i.e., atypical, relations to the outside world that seem to be open communications in an otherwise closed system. They are “breaches” in the “armor” through which, depending upon the situation, libidinal and other interests are sent out and pulled in again like pseudopodia. The armor itself, however, is to be thought of as flexible. Its mode of reaction always proceeds according to the pleasure-unpleasure principle.
We thus find that Reich’s character armor has an atypical relationship with the outside world. The armor not only rigidifies internal dynamics, but also protects against the influence of the external world. Our Tin Man no doubt “weathered the storm” in his armored condition. The rain, wind and snow would have little impact on him.
Reich (1972, p. 155-156) continues:
In unpleasurable situations the armoring contracts; in pleasurable situations it expands. The degree of character flexibility, the ability to open oneself to the outside world or to close oneself to it, depending upon the situation, constitutes the difference between a reality-oriented and a neurotic character structure. Extreme prototypes of pathologically rigid armoring are the affect blocked compulsive characters and schizophrenic autism, both of which tend toward catatonic rigidity.
We find in this statement an interesting (and often overlooked) condition of Reich’s character armor. It can expand and contract. While the armor always remains in place, it is “situationally” adaptive to the outside world. What would a “pleasurable situation” look like? Will psychotherapy make a difference? We will consider these matters shortly. Now on to the final section of Reich’s (1972, p. 155-156) summary description of character armor:
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