(Intrapsychic Conflict Theorist, Helper)

Had Ph.D.; one of first lay analysts. Famous for early concept of "Birth Trauma" (first separation). For more current perspective, read Denial of Death by Ernst Becker (1973).

I. Core Tendency: To minimize the fear of life while at the same time minimizing the fear of death. As these two fears are inherent and opposed, conflict is inevitable, and compromise must be sought. Man is unique in the animal kingdom. We alone are consciously aware that we shall die. Major job of all religions is to handle question of death.

II. Core Characteristics:

A. Fear of Life: Refers to (1) fears of separation and individuation (birth, weaning, walking, school, college, marriage, work, etc.) and (2) fear of expressions of uniqueness and creativity (being heroic or having impact on the world).

B. Fear of Death: Refers to (1) fear of fusion, union, or dependency and (2) fear of permanent extinction.

C. The Will: The organized sense of who and what you are, helps to minimize the fears. Starts out as primitive counterwill, but matures during development.

D. Paradoxical Nature of Human Beings: We are half animal with animal, biological urges, yet at the same time half spiritual or theological. What is the proper meaning of sex? Playboy vs. Bible. "To want too little from the love object is as self defeating as to want too much" - must always compromise.

E. Precursor of Existential Psychology: Rollo May has updated Rank's concepts giving them new names. Basically, his term existential anxiety (fear of future) is similar to Rank's fear of life, and his concept of ontological guilt (fear of missed opportunities) is similar to fear of death.

F. Need for Cosmic Significance (Becker): Replaces Freud's concept of narcissism.

Rank does not say too much in terms of development over the life span. He mentions that one of our developmental tasks is to find a solution to the question of immortality, without which we will become neurotic or "psychological man" (always in therapy). We all attempt to "create a universe of symbols around a cadaverous reality". Some possible solutions are:

1. "Other Worldly" Religion: The historically popular solution. What is this brutish existence of ours compared to everlasting life in heaven with the angels?

2. Heroism: To be stronger than the enemies who wish you death is to be stronger than death itself. We have a very deep, primitive need for heroes who defy death (or at least the odds). Heroes overcome the fear of death and the fear of life.

3. Romantic Solution: The most popular now, this solution tries to make a religion out of love relationships; when you think that a relationship will make you happy and solve all your problems. "No human relationship can bear the burden of godhood". Problem comes in when you must face the faults of your loved one and vice versa.

4. Philistine Solution: This is the withdrawal from life, to cop-out and find refuge in compromise, mediocrity, and shrinking the world into bite-size pieces. (In sexual behavior, seen in fetishes). Has massive expression of fear of life.

5. Creative Solution: The best solution is to express your own individuality, to separate out from the herd and become and "Artist" in living.

Rank a very simple classification of personality types depending upon how they handle the two major fears.

I. Personality types:

A. Artist - where the will reigns.

1. Both fears are minimized and the will is strong.

2. Show high degree of differentiation and integration of thoughts, feelings, and actions. They are able to express their unique gifts.

B. Neurotic - impulse reigns, "I gotta be me"

1. Expresses tendency toward separation, but has denied the tendency toward union and shows more counterwill than will.

2. Hostile, arrogant, isolationistic, critical, etc.

C. Average Person - inhibition reigns

1. Expresses tendency toward union, but denies tendency toward separation. They never really entertain the possibility of their own individuality. (Eric Hoffer: "What greater reassurance can the weak have than that they are like everyone else".)

2. Conforming, superficial, suggestible, and self-satisfied.