What is Kennedy’s psychobiography?

The possible relationship between a leader’s psychological profile and his or her policy behavior is suggested by the ways President Kennedy’s personality may have been instrumental in the decisions he made during the Cold War crises he faced. According to Mongar, Kennedy suffered most of his life from a neurotic conflict between an overpowering fear of failure, on one hand, and an overwhelming need for assistance, on the other. A succession of childhood illnesses permitted him to avoid fruitless competition, and he resorted to “the manipulation of fantasy to protect his [preferred self] image of greatness.” Thus self-deception served as a defense mechanism to protect him from his fears of weakness. To protect his preferred self-image, he habitually disarmed criticism “by modesty calling attention to minor shortcomings. This witty self-derision, which reflected a merciless introspection, undermined criticism early and simultaneously elicited reassurance and support from other people.” Political problems, even foreign policy crises, became “games,” opportunities to recover self-esteem. Kennedy’s major decisions, Mongar argues, were shaped by his personal motives.

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