A Self Psychological Analysis of Rorschach Thematic Content

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshall L. Silverstein
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Analysis ◽  
Self Psychology ◽  
The Self ◽  
Thematic Content ◽  
Psychological Concept ◽  
Psychological Analysis ◽  
Selfobject Transference ◽  
Selfobject Needs ◽  
Forward Edge

Abstract. In this discussion of the case of Ms. B., I consider this patient’s Rorschach responses from the theoretical viewpoint of psychoanalytic self psychology ( Kohut, 1971 , 1996 ). Using thematic content and sequence analysis, I demonstrate how the self psychological concept of the forward edge ( Tolpin, 2002 ) may indicate how a selfobject transference emerges as a representation of thwarted legitimate developmental strivings that have been driven underground. I attempt to illustrate how such unrecognized selfobject needs may be reactivated on the Rorschach and how they may be understood as fragile tendrils of remaining healthy needs.

The Origins of the Leading Edge in Kohut's Work

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-196
Author(s):  
Peter Zimmermann ◽  
Harry Paul
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
The Self ◽  
Corrective Emotional Experience ◽  
Center Stage ◽  
Psychoanalytic Treatment ◽  
Psychoanalytic Literature ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Selfobject Transference ◽  
Forward Edge

This article traces the evolution of the concept of the leading edge in Kohut's work. The leading edge is defined as the growth-promoting dimension of the transference. The authors argue that although Kohut did not ever use the term explicitly in his writings—Marian Tolpin (2002), one of Kohut's gifted pupils, introduced the concept into the psychoanalytic literature in the form of the forward edge—the idea of the leading edge was already present in nascent form in Kohut's earliest papers and became ever more central as his psychology of the self evolved and the concept of the selfobject transference took center stage. Kohut, it is argued, could not fully develop the idea of working with the leading edge for fear of being accused of advocating for a corrective emotional experience in psychoanalytic treatment. However, in his posthumous empathy paper (1982) Kohut came as close as he could to endorsing the leading edge as pivotal in all psychoanalytic work.

Reminiscing in the Elderly: Pastoral Care of Self-Narratives

1986 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Randall
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Self Psychology ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Self ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Story Listening ◽  
Psychology Perspective ◽  
Care Of Self

Notes the presence of acts of reminiscing in older individuals and interprets this reality within a self-psychology perspective. Sees the functions of self narrative as (1) providing a continuity of the Self; (2) sustaining a meaning continuity of the Self; and (3) uplifting the Self via hope. Suggests implications for pastoral care in terms of story listening, story stimulating, and story enhancing.

Self Psychology in Clinical Intervention with the Elderly

1992 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-221
Author(s):  
John Goldmeier ◽  
Donald V. Fandetti
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Self Psychology ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Self ◽  
Heinz Kohut ◽  
Clinical Interventions

The self psychology of Heinz Kohut can be usefully integrated with current clinical interventions in social work. The authors discuss the major principles of self psychology, applying them to work with the elderly. Emphasis is on the striving for growth and affirmation in the elderly and on how more subtle treatment dimensions, such as empathy and transference, can be understood.

scholarly journals Idiotypic self binding of a dominant germline idiotype (T15). Autobody activity is affected by antibody valency.

1987 ◽  
Vol 165 (5) ◽  
pp. 1332-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Y Kang ◽  
H L Cheng ◽  
S Rudikoff ◽  
H Kohler
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Analysis ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
The Self ◽  
Antigen Binding ◽  
Simultaneous Presence ◽  
Cdna Sequencing ◽  
Antigen Binding Site ◽  
Binding Antibody ◽  
Polymeric State ◽  
Germline Sequence

We have previously described (1-3) an IgM antibody that binds to PC, expresses the T15 idiotype, and binds also to itself or T15 if insolubilized. Because of the simultaneous presence of complementary idiotopes and paratopes this type of antibody has been termed autobody. The self binding involves the antigen-binding site because the F(ab')2 fragment of T15, PC, and no other haptens inhibit the self binding. DNA sequence analysis of 11E7-1 using primer extension cDNA sequencing showed that the variable sequences of H and L chains of 11E7-1 are identical to the germline sequence of the prototype T15 idiotype. Furthermore, monomeric and dimeric T15 IgA were shown to bind to insolubilized T15 and other T15+ antibodies including 11E7-1. Thus, the self-binding activity is an inherent property of the T15 germline sequence. The self binding is highly dependent on the polymeric state of the binding antibody since the IgM pentamer of 11E7-1 is about three fold more effective than the T15 dimer and 50 times more than the T15 monomer. These data suggest that the self-binding activity of a germline-encoded idiotype may play an important role in the biology of its expression, and more specifically, may be responsible for the establishment of its dominant expression.

Mary Whiton Calkins (1863–1930)

1980 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Furumoto
Keyword(s):  
William James ◽  
Paired Associate ◽  
American Psychological Association ◽  
Self Psychology ◽  
The Self ◽  
American Psychological ◽  
Mental Abilities ◽  
Josiah Royce ◽  
Work Done

Mary Whiton Calkins (1863–1930) was fourteenth President of the American Psychological Association, invented the paired-associate technique, founded an early psychological laboratory, and developed a system of self-psychology. Her eminence as a psychologist and a scholar was widely acknowledged and she was the recipient of two honorary degrees. Calkins published prolifically in both psychology and philosophy, moving away from psychology into philosophy during the latter half of her career. Both her work in psychology and philosophy came to center on the importance of the self. Calkins studied with William James, Josiah Royce and Hugo Münsterberg at Harvard in the 1890s, and although she completed all the requirements for the Ph.D., she was not granted the degree because she was a woman. In 1902, she was offered a Radcliffe degree which she declined on principle, because she believed that work done at Harvard should be recognized by a Harvard degree regardless of whether the recipient was a female or a male. On many occasions throughout her life, she expressed her opposition to differentiation between the sexes based on the assumption of inherent differences in mental abilities.

scholarly journals Shame

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell Landers ◽  
Daniel Sznycer ◽  
Laith Al-Shawaf
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Architecture ◽  
The Self ◽  
Human Biology ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Social Evaluation ◽  
Social Emotions ◽  
Psychological Analysis ◽  
Making Choices ◽  
Group Members ◽  
The Individual

Reliance on mutual aid is a distinctive characteristic of human biology. Consequently, a central adaptive problem for our ancestors was the potential or actual spread of reputationally damaging information about the self – information that would decrease the inclination of other group members to render assistance. The emotion of shame appears to be the solution engineered by natural selection to defend against this threat. The existing evidence suggests that shame is a neurocomputational program that orchestrates various elements of the cognitive architecture in the service of (i) deterring the individual from making choices wherein the personal benefits are exceeded by the prospective costs of being devalued by others, (ii) preventing negative information about the self from reaching others, and (iii) minimizing the adverse effects of social devaluation when it occurs. The flow of costs (e.g., punishment) and benefits (e.g., income, aid during times of hardship) in human societies is regulated to an important extent by this interlinked psychology of social evaluation and shame (as well as other social emotions). For example, the intensity of shame that laypeople express at the prospect of committing each of various offenses closely matches the intensity of the actual offense-specific punishments called for by criminal laws, including modern laws and ancient laws that are millennia old. Because shame, like pain, causes personal suffering and sometimes leads to hostile behavior, shame has been termed a “maladaptive” and “ugly” emotion. However, an evolutionary psychological analysis suggests that the shame system is elegantly designed to deter injurious choices and make the best of a bad situation.

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