Object Relations in Psychoanalytic Theory [Hardcover]

Jay R. Greenberg (Author), Stephen A. Mitchell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0674629752 | ISBN-13: 978-0674629752 | Publication Date: January 25, 1983 | Edition: 1

Examines the theories of Freud, Sullivan, Fromm, Jacobson, and other psychologists regarding interpersonal relationships.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A most valuable contribution to the psychoanalytic literature. The authors have undertaken to review all of the psychoanalytic theories concerning object relationships, comparing and contrasting the 'classical' theory with derivatives of it and the important theories which have arisen in opposition to it...It increases the value of the book to readers at all levels that they have elected to make their reviews of the various theories quite full, so that it is possible really to learn something about each theory in some depth...The authors have considered each position from the point of view of its internal logic, correspondence to the clinical data, and how well it seems to answer the problems which it set out to solve...This is a splendid book.
--Adrienne Applegarth (International Journal of Psycho-Analysis )

We are...fortunate that we have the likes of Greenberg and Mitchell to provide us with a first-class study in comparative psychoanalysis to help us keep our minds open. The authors summarize the contributions of Sigmund Freud, H. S. Sullivan, Erich Fromm, Melanie Klein, W. R. D. Fairbairn, D. W. Winnicott, Harry Guntrip, Heinz Hartmann, Margaret Mahler, Edith Jacobson, Otto Kernberg, Heinz Kohut, and Joseph Sandler, organizing these presentations around the particular visions of object relations each has offered...This is a splendid book for several reasons. Its intent embodies the best attitudes in psychoanalysis, and its execution is very sophisticated and instructive. It certainly deserves your study.
--Jeffrey J. Andresen, M.D. (Contemporary Psychiatry )

That the neo-Freudians and the British object-relations theorists emphasize relationships is well known. What is not well known, and what constitutes Greenberg and Mitchell's special contribution, is the idea that accounting for relationships may be a defining task of all psychoanalytic theorizing and that the various theories can usefully be categorized, contrasted, and understood in terms of their particular strategies for doing so...Greenberg and Mitchell's book provides access to this difficult literature. Their discussions of the various psychoanalytic theories are scholarly, convincing, and packed with clever connections and intriguing observations...[The book] provides a long-sought path through the thicket of psychoanalytic writing.
--Daniel B. Wile (Contemporary Psychology )

Presenting the material in admirable clarity, [the authors] provide an excellent overview of the major forces in current psychoanalytic theory as well as connecting those forces to sociological and cultural concepts in a creative way. Highly recommended. (Library Journal )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 437 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press; 1 edition (January 25, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674629752
• ISBN-13: 978-0674629752
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Behavioral Sciences > Behavioral Psychology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading, February 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Object Relations in Psychoanalytic Theory (Hardcover)

This book is cited in virtually every book written on object relations theory since its publication. It gives a thorough background to the theories of all of the major contributors to object relations theory. It is brilliantly written and understandable with a basic knowledge of psychoanalytic jargon. An essential work.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, August 1, 2001

By 

disco75 "disco75" (State College, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Object Relations in Psychoanalytic Theory (Hardcover)

An astounding piece of synthetic analysis of a very, very complicated field, this book has rightly been referrred to by scores and scores of subsequent writers in the field of psychoanalysis and personality theory. The authors have critically scrutinzed the various schools of thought in the post-Freudian landscape and astutely determined their theoretical similarities and differences. The writing is direct and persuasive, albeit intended for an audience familiar with psychological terminology. It is amazing work and one of the best books in any field over the last 20 years.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comparative master piece, January 7, 2010

By 

Marc Levy - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Object Relations in Psychoanalytic Theory (Hardcover)

Greenberg and Mitchell go through 100 years of psychoanalysis thinking and bring it back right here in this amazing book.
A must for all clinicians and professionals...Brilliant