U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Appeal and Behavior of the Ku Klux Klan in Object Relations Perspective

NCJ Number
122508
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (1988) Pages: 247-262
Author(s)
S E Salmony; R Smoke
Date Published
1988
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Object relations theory may explain the psychosocial pathological behavior exhibited by the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
Abstract
According to this theory, there is a split maternal presence which certain deprived and psychologically damaged persons project into their social behavior and lives. These adults experience the "maternal presence" of society as split and are in particular need of group support. Under certain circumstances, groups like the KKK may satisfy those needs. The eruption of group violence in the KKK and similar organizations may be explained by analyzing the psychodynamics of group regression to an infantile stage and the simultaneous arousal of the "unmanageable mother." 5 notes, 56 references. (Author abstract modified)