Harvey is diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. His mother severely abused him from the time he was six years old. The first of his personalities developed around seven. According to his psychoanalyst, the development of separate personalities served the purpose of ____.
A) providing substitute significant others to replace an unacceptable parent
B) taking the pain of the abuse so that his core personality would survive
C) helping Harvey to remember his mother's viciousness when he grew older
D) getting Harvey additional attention from family members

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The development of separate personalities in dissociative identity disorder often serves as a coping mechanism, allowing the individual to dissociate from traumatic experiences. In Harvey's case, the separate personalities would take on the pain of the abuse, protecting his core personality and enabling him to survive emotionally.

Harvey Is Diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder