Transference

ABSTRACT

The article presents a view of transference from the early versions of transference by Classical/Structural analysts, through a variety of analytic positions that extend and implicitly question the concept of transference. After looking at Brenner and Bird's transference positions, we trace the beginning of relational analysis as articulated by Gill. The differences among several subsequent relational positions are then explicated. Self-Psychology is conceptualized as providing a clarification of Freud's view of narcissism leading to a new perspective on narcissistic transference states. The article concludes by detailing Contemporary Freudian concepts that integrate various object relation positions within an overriding Freudian theoretical structure. The Contemporary Freudian positions in some ways mirror Ogden's attempts to integrate diverse positions.

KEYWORDS:

• Transference
• contemporary and classical views
• analytic relationship
• object relations

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Clearly, this is a question of degree or extent. We have stated the strong form but, as we will see, positions about this issue form a lengthy continuum.

2 Mitchell and Harris do not mention this salient fact.

3 Mitchell and Greenberg appear at about the same time but we will follow their contributions later in the fuller description of the Relational position.