Question 13
ComprehensionJAMB 1991 Passage III: A child, wishes and loss
One fact that we have to comprehend is that, in our unconscious mind, we cannot distinguish between a wish and a deed. We are all aware of some of our illogical dreams in which two completely opposite statements can exist side by side – very acceptable in our dreams but unthinkable and illogical in our waking state. Just as our unconscious mind cannot differentiate between the wish to kill somebody in anger and the act of having done so, the young child is unable to make this distinction. The child who angrily wishes his mother to drop dead for not having gratified his needs will be traumatized greatly by the actual death of his mother — even if this event is not linked closely in time with his destructive wishes. He will always take part of or the whole of the blame for the loss of his mother. He will always say to himself — rarely to others – 'I did it. I am responsible. I was bad, therefore mummy left me.' It is well to remember that the child will react in the same manner if he loses a parent by divorce, separation or desertion.
Death is often seen by a child as an impermanent thing and has therefore little distinction from a divorce in which he may have an opportunity to see a parent again
Death is often seen by a child as an impermanent thing and has therefore little distinction from a divorce in which he may have an opportunity to see a parent again
The child would feel responsible for his mother's death even if it is unconnected with his wishes because
- A.He regards his wish as a curse
- B.He hates her and wants her dead
- C.His needs are not gratified
- D.He cannot distinguish between wish and reality
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: D (He cannot distinguish between wish and reality)
Explanation
The young child cannot separate wishing someone dead from actually causing the death, so he blames himself.