Analyzing Personalities: Psychobiographical case study of Ferdinand Marcos

(Group)

Former President Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos

I. Background of the subject (A concise introduction about the subject of your

psychobiographical case, including formative life events)

Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr., born September 11, 1917, was the 10th

president of the Philippines. The son of Mariano Marcos and Josefa Edralin, he was

II. Theoretical Framework (A brief review of the Psychodynamic approach and the

specific theories used)

III. Analysis (In-depth application of the theories to explain notable aspects of

personality)

IV. Conclusion (Relate the analysis to existing body of knowledge and research on

the theories used. What does this psychobiographical case analysis contribute to

the conversation on psychodynamic approaches to personality?)

Karen Horney – Moving Against People, Idealized Self-Image

Karen Horney proposed three general categories that relate to one’s basic attitude

towards their self and others. These categories, called neurotic trends, consist of (1) moving

toward people, (2) moving against people, and (3) moving away from people (Feist et al.,

2021). In Marcos’ case, he employed the neurotic trend of moving against people, manifested

especially during his martial law regime. Marcos, like other neurotics who adopt this trend

(therefore considered aggressive), moved against people by appearing perfect and powerful

and by exploiting them. For instance, after he was reelected as president in 1969, Marcos

strengthened his hold on authority by creating a cult of personality, similar to those of Mao

Zedong or Joseph Stalin. Then, with the occurrence of violent public protests against his rule,
and the reemergence of the Filipino Communist Party (which he viewed as threats), he

eventually declared martial law that gave him the power to suspend habeas corpus, to impose

curfew, and to imprison his opponents like Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino. He also demonstrated

his customarily ruthless approach to dissent by using the country's armed forces as a weapon

against his political rivals (Szczepanski, 2019).

Neurotically aggressive people are also known for needing recognition, prestige,

admiration, and achievement (Feist et al., 2021). Marcos, being one, displayed these needs in

several ways. For example, he found himself a former beauty queen for a wife, namely

Imelda Romualdez. With his charm and her glamour, their marriage further propelled

Marcos’ fame. Another is that after his reelection in 1969, Marcos mandated that his official

presidential portrait be displayed in each and every establishment, including schools. He also

had sizable propagandistic billboards installed throughout the country (Szczepanski, 2019).

Moreover, neurotically aggressive people rarely acknowledge their mistakes (Feist et

al., 2021). According to Rempel and Meyer (1989), Marcos was a self-righteous man who

“blamed everyone but himself,” as was reflected by his diary entry dated December 30-31,

1970:

“Undoubtedly our society is sick and the government muddles on... The legislature

(is)…arrogant and vain. The city people are more interested in gossip than in achievements.

The media is sensationalist and deliberately distorts and even falsifies news in order to raise

a headline. The businessmen are not interested in the plight of the common people but are

obsessed with amassing wealth. The oligarchs are at their favorite pastime to get the levers

of power. The opposition party is irresponsible and didn’t care less whether what they do

would prejudice the people provided it enhances their chances to return to power. All our

attempts at progress are deliberately blocked. Even the radicals seek nothing but power for

power’s sake.”
Karen Horney believed that aside from social and cultural factors, intrapsychic processes also
influence personality development. These processes are a result of our interpersonal
experiences that eventually take a life of their own as they become incorporated to one’s
belief system. One of the two intrapsychic conflicts, idealized self-image, is described as an
effort to resolve conflicts by envisioning oneself as a godlike figure, wherein people would
see themselves as “a hero, a genius, a supreme lover, a saint, a god” (Horney, 1950, p. 22, in
Feist et al., 2021). This concept of the idealized self-image is manifested by Marcos. In his
diary, the day after the declaration of martial law, Marcos wrote: “I am some kind of hero!”

Rempel, W. C., & Meyer, R. E. (1989, February 6). The Marcos diary: A lust for power, an

eye on glory. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-06-mn-1215-story.html