Routledge Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Conflict (Psychological Issues)

Product Description Since its inception, and throughout its history, psychoanalysis has been defined as a psychology of conflict. Freud’s tripartite structure of id, ego and superego, and then modern conflict theory, placed conflict at the center of mental life and its understanding at the heart of therapeutic action. As psychoanalysis has developed into the various schools of thought, the understanding of the importance of mental conflict has broadened and changed. In Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Conflict, a highly distinguished group of authors outline the main contemporary theoretical understandings of the role of conflict in psychoanalysis, and what this can teach us for everyday psychoanalytic practice. The book fills a gap in psychoanalytic thinking as to the essence of conflict and therapeutic action, at a time when many theorists are re-conceptualizing conflict in relation to aspects of mental life as an essential component across theories. Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Conflict will be of interest to psychologists, psychoanalysts, social workers, and other students and professionals involved in the study and practice of psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, cognitive science and neuroscience. Review "In this major contribution to the field, the editors have taken the fundamental psychoanalytic premise of conflict as a central organizing construct for purposes of comparing and contrasting a broad array of psychoanalytic perspectives on personality development, psychopathology and therapeutic action. Their approach provides a kaleidoscopic perspective that illuminates both intriguing connections and subtle difference among diverse psychoanalytic approaches. Bringing together outstanding contributions from some of the leading figures in the field, the editors have produced a superb volume that is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of psychoanalysis." - Jeremy D. Safran, Ph.D., Chair & Professor of Psychology, The New School for Social Research "Psychoanalytic approaches differ in the way they deal with conflict-- with some believing that conflict can be resolved and others rejecting such a prospect. Indeed, no psychoanalytic approach fails to conceptualize conflict, and one can reasonably conclude that conflict is fundamental to a psychoanalytic way of thinking about human beings and about treatment. Yet, it is surprising to realize that conflict has not been the subject of more focus and reflection. Until now, Christian, Eagle and Wolitzky have done an extraordinary service to the field by collecting essays from different psychoanalytic orientations-- Contemporary Freudian, Object Relations, Self Psychology, Relational, Lacanian and Attachment-- written by some of the most original thinkers in the field. Treatment issues are central, but the book also covers neurobiological and developmental issues as well. For psychoanalysts who long for dialogue across psychoanalytic orientations, this book is exemplary, and deserves a wide audience." - Elliot Jurist, Professor of Psychology and Philosophy, the Graduate Center and the City College of New York, the City University of New York, and Editor of Psychoanalytic Psychology "There is no question that the edited volume, Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Conflict, is both a noble and necessary endeavor. By articulating different perspectives around a single, central concept, it touches every essential controversy that has divided the different schools of psychoanalysis.Collected together, each of the eminent authors explains how conflict works, or how it is defined in their particular corner of the psychoanalytic universe. A terrific, scholarly beginning, clearly articulating theoretical stances so that the difference can be seen"-Lissa Weinstein, Ph.D., Psychoanalytic Psychology About the Author Christopher Christian, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor at the New School for Social Research, Director at the New School Beth Israel Center for Clinical Training