Outer Child

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Revision as of 06:16, 29 March 2022 by Savoundg (talk | contribs)
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Outer Child theory is discovered by Susan Anderson and described in Taming Your Outer Child.

Psyche Components Description
Inner Child

(Little You)

  • feelings, needs, wants
  • developed during early childhood
  • emotional core, innocent, vulnerable, obstinate, selfish, impulsive, knee-jerk reaction
  • Needs to be heard and honored
Outer Child
  • acts out what the inner child feels inappropriately
  • developed later
  • "yes but", self-rebellious, reactive behavior patterns, defense mechanisms
  • can be self-defeating patterns
  • manifests outwardly
  • interferes in the internal dialog between Inner Child and Adult Self
Adult Self
  • nurture Inner Child
  • limit/parent Outer Child
  • achieve your goals

Step 1: Separate feelings (Inner Child) from behaviors (Outer Child)

Outer Child

Outer Child
excessive spending, binge eating
drama queen
  • plays the victim, the martyr
  • the injured, under-reacts
  • cries as a manipulation tactic
loves distraction makes a mess and takes time to clean-up, use projection of his shortcomings as a defense mechanism
uncompromising perfectionist but with a vice "If I do this perfectly, I should get a reward", if there is no reward, he is going to act out. E.g.: Outer can keep you heartbroken just to prove the injustice of the breakup.
selfish some hide this selfishmess better than others. defensive rather than open, self-justifying rather than self-aware
loves blaming obsessed and intolerant with other's outer children
master of disguises