The Caligula Phenomenon

Abstract

The authors apply a theoretical lens from the field of psychotherapy to understand a previously unexplored aspect of dysfunctional mentoring relationships: theoretical abuse. The authors review existing research on mentoring and theoretical abuse and discuss ways that theoretical abuse can take place along three dimensions of mentoring relationships: mentor motivation, mentoring behaviors, and prote'ge growth. They present three typical protege responses to theoretical abuse, considering these responses within the formalization, hierarchical basis, and power dynamics of mentoring. They discuss psychological consequences of theoretical abuse for the prote'ge and conclude with a discussion of implications for both research and practice.