Abstract
This article reviews the theoretical concepts involving reality as these were used in orthodox psychoanalytic theory and concludes that purely empiricist thinking of the type common in Freud's time has contributed to problems experienced within the social work profession. It proposes the consideration of a view of meaningful reality as constructed through interpersonal transactions based on the model of the transitional object. This model may hold promise for better understanding of the relationship between the person and the situation, of some aspects of the treatment relationship, and ways in which to measure treatment effectiveness.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arieti, S.Creativity: The magic synthesis. New York: Basic Books, 1976.
Chomsky, N.Language and mind. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and World, 1968.
Edelson, M.Language and interpretation in psychoanalysis. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1975.
Germain, C.B. (Ed.)Social work practice: A changing landscape. New York: The Free Press, 1976.
Hartmann, H.Ego psychology and the problem of adaptation. New York: International Universities Press, 1958.
Hebb, D.O.The organization of behavior. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1949.
Keller, H.The story of my life. New York: Doubleday, Page and Sons, 1903.
Loewald, H.W. Ego and reality,International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 1951,32, 10–18
Loewald, H.W. Perspectives on Memory. InPsychology versus metapsychology: Psychoanalysis essays in honor of George S. Klein, (Eds.) M.M. Gill and P. Holzman,Psychological issues, Mo nograph 36, 1976.
Loewald, H.W. Ego organization and defense. InPapers on psychoanalysis, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1980, 177–179.
Mahler, M. Pine, F. and Bergman, A.The psychological birth of the human infant. New York: Basic Books, 1975.
Perhnan, H.H.Social casework: A problem solving process. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1975.
Piaget, J.Play, dreams and imitation in childhood. New York: Basic Books, 1963.
Piaget, J. and Inhelder, B.Memory and intelligence. New York: Basic Books, 1973.
Pruyser, P.W. An essay on creativity,Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 1979,43, 294–353.
Rapaport, D.The organization and pathology of thought. New York: Columbia University Press, 1951.
Richmond, M.E.Social diagnosis. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1917.
Robbins, F.P. and Sadow, L. A developmental hypothesis of reality processing.Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 1974,22, 344–363.
Rose, G.J.The power of form: A psychoanalytic approach to aesthetic form. New York: International Universities Press, 1980.
Rycroft, C. Symbolism and its relationship to the primary and secondary processes,International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 1956,38, 137–146.
Schimek, J.G. A critical reexamination of Freud's concept of unconscious mental representation,International Review of Psychoanalysis, 1975,2, 171–187.
Spitz, R.A.The first year of life. New York: International University Press, 1965.
Tolpin, M. On the beginnings of a cohesive self.Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 1971,26, 316–352.
Werner, H. and Kaplan, B.Symbol formation, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1963.
Winnicott, D.W. Transitional objects and transitional phenomena. InThrough paediatrics to psycho-analysis. New York: Basic Books, 1975, 229–242.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saari, C. On the place of reality in social work and psychoanalytic theory. Clin Soc Work J 11, 7–21 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00755652
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00755652