Philobats & Ocnophils
Both
words are constructions using Greek word parts, and both are used almost
exclusively
by therapists. They are attributed to psychiatrist Michael Balint,
and they appeared in the
International
Journal of Psycho-analysis in 1955.
A philobat is a person who enjoys coping with
dangerous and uncertain situations – a thrill
seeker who goes it alone. Dr. Balint
combined the Greek word part philo-
(one who loves)
and extracted the word part –bat
from acrobat (a rope walker).
An ocnophil is a person
who avoids dangerous and uncertain situations. When threats arise, he or she
clutches at objects of security, especially other people. Balint combined the
Greek word part ocno- (hesitation)
with –phil (one who loves).
While not the most euphonious of terms, they do
stake out polar opposites.
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