Dr. Richard L. Matteoli

The Munchausen Complex: Socialization of Violence and Abuse Dr. Richard L. Matteoli

Socialization of violence and abuse is often highly structured through the Munchausen Complex. Munchausen Syndrome occurs when an individual harms themselves for attention and self-glorification. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy is when an individual harms another, usually under their care. Attention and self-glorification are achieved through their victim's subsequent medical treatment. Munchausen by Proxy is a crime with a victim. Violence and abuse in families are often passed down from one generation to the next and may be termed Transgenerational Munchausen Syndrome as these families expand and their habits are introduced into society. Munchausen Syndrome in Collective Transmission occurs when such practices become an acceptable part of society often eventuating into full acculturation. In this way societies attach themselves to self-glorification with various explanations of justification As socialized beings, we are often unaware why we think what we think and why we do what we do. Exploring beneath the surface, we may discover we are not who we think we are. Are our subtle perversions and aberrations so different from those of the ancients, or other cultures we label primitive?