The Mythology Surrounding Freud and Klein: Implications for Psychoanalysis

(Hardback)

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In The Mythology Surrounding Freud and Klein, Charlotte Schwartz challenges the current misperceptions and theoretical ideas surrounding Sigmund Freud and Melanie Klein through a systematic review of their respective theoretical work and clinical studies. Specifically, Schwartz argues against the current perception that Klein was the originator of object relations theory and that Freuds metapsychology was a drive-centered theory with little regard for the object and object relations. Schwartz further examines the development of drive and object relations through a review of key theorists who influenced psychoanalytic training and treatment methodology in this area, including Ferenczi, Abraham, Jones, Fairbairn, Guntrip, and Winnicott. This book is recommended for scholars of psychology and history.

Reviews

Charlotte Schwartz's Mythologies Surrounding Freud and Klein: Implications for Psychoanalysis is both important and timely. It sets out, boldly and convincingly, to reverse conventional psychoanalytic history, positing Freud as much more engaged with object relations than is usually thought, and Melanie Klein as more of a drive theorist than is generally conceded. Brilliantly argued with uncommon good sense, the book probes in detail the theories and case studies of Freud and Klein before going on to examine the positions of later figures in the context of its main arguments. Schwartz's lifetime dedication to psychoanalytic theory and practice is evident on every page. Her book is a model of clarity, a joy to read, and a passionate call for a re-assessment of the truisms that perpetuate ignorance. -- Tony Pipolo, PhD, private practice and editor of The Psychoanalytic Review

Author Bio

Charlotte Schwartz is psychoanalyst and emeritus assistant professor of pediatrics at New York Medical College.