Playing with the Reality of Analytic Love.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	Playing with the Reality of Analytic Love.
Authors:	Fonagy, Peter, Target, Mary
Source:	Psychoanalytic Dialogues. 2004, Vol. 14 Issue 4, p503-515. 13p.
Subjects:	Oedipus complex, Patients, Complexes (Psychology), Sexual psychology, Psychoanalysis, Psychology
Abstract:	Responding to Davies's extension of the classical psychoanalytic description of the Oedipus complex, the authors argue that, in theoretical thinking about the Oedipus complex, attachment and sexual relating must be carefully distinguished, although they ceaselessly interact and-in the end-their separate contributions may be hard to disentangle. Making this distinction enables these authors to suggest that it is less likely to be a refusal of romantic response that triggers the patient's relentless pursuit of love from the analyst than an earlier disorganization of the infantile attachment. Taking the transference situation as a whole, the patient's persistent demand for an unattainable gratification can then be seen as the patient's determination to create in the consulting room another person who is in beleaguered, defensive withdrawal from a relationship. The discussion further elaborates the similarities and differences between the authors' own theoretical position and Davies's relational perspective through a consideration of the case of Roberta presented by Davies in her paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Psychoanalytic Dialogues is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Responding to Davies's extension of the classical psychoanalytic description of the Oedipus complex, the authors argue that, in theoretical thinking about the Oedipus complex, attachment and sexual relating must be carefully distinguished, although they ceaselessly interact and-in the end-their separate contributions may be hard to disentangle. Making this distinction enables these authors to suggest that it is less likely to be a refusal of romantic response that triggers the patient's relentless pursuit of love from the analyst than an earlier disorganization of the infantile attachment. Taking the transference situation as a whole, the patient's persistent demand for an unattainable gratification can then be seen as the patient's determination to create in the consulting room another person who is in beleaguered, defensive withdrawal from a relationship. The discussion further elaborates the similarities and differences between the authors' own theoretical position and Davies's relational perspective through a consideration of the case of Roberta presented by Davies in her paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10481885
DOI:	10.1080/10481880409353120