Passions and Fixations

The formation of character occurs through the combination of particular emotional aspects called “passions” with cognitive structures that become inflexible and give rise to what we know as “fixations.” “Passion is an emotional and pathological coloring of personality,” says Naranjo in a concise, clear, and evocative definition.

In the case of the angry character, this is expressed distinctly in each of its three subtypes, possibly to a greater extent than in other character types. In a particular and paradoxical way, the anger that characterizes E1 is an emotional state that remains repressed. As a result of this repression, when the accumulated anger finally manifests, it does so suddenly and explosively, in an outburst of energy, with specific nuances depending on the subtype.

In more technical terms—and following the psychoanalytic tradition that Naranjo paid much attention to—we can say that E1 generally adapts to a state of reactive formation, a defense mechanism that consists of converting a feeling into its opposite. In practice, anger transforms into reserved, distant, prejudiced, critical attitudes where the other is no longer

seen as a stranger but as a savage, even more so in the case of the Social 1. This happens even in situations where anger would naturally be an appropriate emotion. Thus, the angry character appears acceptable and obedient but, in reality, avoids—repressing—falling into angry reactions or aggressive expressions.

The described dynamic arises from the child's decision-making process, wherein the child suppresses their impulses to repress needs and feelings they believe are not acceptable to their parents or other parental figures. Consequently, the child hides certain aspects of themselves out of fear of rejection and learns to behave in a "proper" way.

Anger may also find expression through a redirection of energy that was originally intended to satisfy needs, channeling it into vigorous, goal-oriented actions. The Social 1 demands a great deal from themselves and others and can be particularly frustrating and exacting. They constantly pursue a perfectionism that unconsciously becomes a goal and ideal, displaying a marked aptitude for irony, which can also be caustic. These traits develop over time, as in early childhood, the Social 1 typically manifests feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, profound shyness, shame, and a tendency to cry easily.

For a period, Naranjo simply referred to this unadaptability as "rigidity." According to him, it is a kind of "teacher-like mentality," or what Wilhelm Reich called an "aristocratic character"—a neurotic need to feel right, to always be correct, which implies that such a person implicitly expects others to adapt to them. In this sense, the Social 1 is not a perfectionist like the E1 Preservation, who is dedicated to identifying errors. Instead, the Social subtype feels inherently perfect and may even indulge in committing significant mistakes. Of course, they do not see these as mistakes but rather as permissions they grant themselves based on their own criteria, which they consider the most reasonable.

This passion for feeling right while others are wrong leads the Social 1 to adopt a dominant position over others, making them feel at fault while asserting a supposed right to control situations based on the error they systematically project onto others but not themselves. While the Sexual 1 asserts their dominance in an assertive and vehement way without seeking justification, the Social 1 prefers to argue, reason, and, of course, impose their perspective.

The backdrop against which the Social 1 organizes their behavior is a reaction to feeling inadequate for the world and its demands. In a way, the expression of anger or fury serves as a form of healing, a permission to express themselves and affirm their right to exist—a "here I am." Upon entering a state of passion—and thus exaggerated emotion—the Social 1 crosses a threshold, shifting from reactive formation to what will later be perceived externally as an attitude of superiority. This image of superiority is, in fact, a defense mechanism against deep devaluation, an anger that seeks to declare, "I am worth it; hear me," as an expression of strength. It is not necessarily a destructive anger but one that

masks the despair of not being heard and of not receiving what they desire and deem vital. "A child-ego state screaming," as Eric Berne would say.

When anger takes shape, it becomes a neurotic need that hides a continuous search for recognition. The Social subtype struggles to adapt to the environments and realities it encounters, easily falling into criticism and judgment. This maladjustment is more evident than in the Self-Preservation and Sexual subtypes, who also experience it, until it becomes so prevalent that it turns into a way of preserving and conserving oneself—adopting exaggerated caution and placing barriers in relationships with others.

The Social 1 child passively adheres to the demands of their parents and other parental figures. Since these figures failed to see, listen to, or adapt to the child's needs, the child internalized a sense of distance that prevented them from truly listening to others, leading to the so-called maladjustment. This indirect approach becomes the way the Social 1 expresses their needs, feelings, and desires. The person becomes a “fraud”—as a friend called me when I was a child—or a “Neapolitan disguised as an Englishman,” as I introduced myself to Claudio Naranjo in one of his early groups in Italy.