Concepts of Transference: A Critique, a Typology, an Alternative Hypothesis and Some Proposals

Abstract

The authors review common usages of the term transference, offering a dermition and a delineation of four major types of transference and an outline of some major unresolved issues in this area. This is followed by a discussion of some of the problems that arise when transactional analysis adopts familiar object relations approaches to the phenomenon, however pragmatically useful, and the suggestion of an alternative approach in levels of differentiation of the archeopsyche. The authors suggest that the term transference be reserved for behavioral and experiential descriptions of certain transactions which distort perception, thinking, and expectations; that the concepts of psychic organs and the differentiation of the archeopsyche be utilized in theoretical descriptions of the underlying intrapsychic mechanisms; and that descriptive analyses of ego states and such terms as projection, introjection, and incorporation be used only as descriptions and metaphors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

James R. Allen

James R. Allen, M.D., is Vice-President and Medical Director, Children's Medical Center, Tulsa, and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Oklahoma. He is a Certified Transactional Analyst Instructor and Supervisor.

Barbara A. Allen

Barbara A. Allen, M.S. W., M.P.H., Ph.D., is in private practice in Tulsa and is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma.