By Frank Summers - Object Relations Theories and Psychopathology: A Comprehensive Text: 1st (first) Edition

by Frank Summers

In Object Relations Theories and A Comprehensive Text, Frank Summers provides thorough, lucid, and critically informed accounts of the work of major object relations Fairbairn, Guntrip, Klein, Winnicott, Kernberg, and Kohut. His expositions achieve distinction on two counts. First, the work of each object relations theorist is presented as a comprehensive whole, with separate sections expounding the theorist's ideas and assumptions about metapsychology, development, psychopathology, and treatment, with a critical evaluation of the strengths and limitations of the theory in question. Second, the emphasis in each chapter is on issues of clinical understanding and technique. Making extensive use of case material provided by each of the theorists, he shows how each object relations theory yields specific clinical approaches to a variety of syndromes, and how these approaches entail specific modifications in clinical technique.Beyond his detailed attention to the theoretical and technical differences among object relations theories, Summers' penultimate chapter discusses the similarities and differences of object relations and interpersonal theories. And his concluding chapter outlines a pragmatic object relations approach to development, psychopathology, and technique that combines elements of all object relations theories without opting for any single theory.Object Relations Theories and Psychopathology is that rare event in psychoanalytic a substantial, readable text that surveys a broad expanse of theoretical and clinical landscape with erudition, sympathy, and critical perspective. It will be essential reading for all analysts, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers who wish to familiarize themselves with object relations theories in general, sharpen their understanding of the work of specific object relations theorists, or enhance their ability to employ these theories in their clinical work.

Hardcover

First published April 1, 1994

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is poorly written. The author restates the same point in several long, convoluted sentences that are difficult to decipher and do not add to your understanding. The author doesn't provide the essence of an idea first; instead, he immediately plunges into parsing and refining an idea to microscopic granularity - then, at the end of the chapter, he provides a paragraph that makes the essential point. I'm very interested in object relations theory. I read the first chapter word-for-word; I did not want to skim. After every paragraph, I asked myself to summarize the essential point of the paragraph. I couldn't do it, because the writing was so unclear. Then I would skim the paragraph, thinking that perhaps doing so might give more clarity, but no. I did manage to decipher the first chapter. I can confidently say that what I learned wasn't so complex that it required such labyrinthine writing. I tried to forge ahead into the second chapter, but I'm 53 and have only so much time left on this earth. There are better writers who can communicate these wonderful, rich, complex ideas with clarity and nuance and their writing doesn't require an hour to gain a bare understanding of just 2 - 3 pages. I donated the book and moved on.

[Tuomas Mansikka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirjoittajalta erittäin vaikuttava suoritus: objektisuhdeteorioiden kattavaa ja tarkkaakin läpikäyntiä, niiden kriittistä tarkastelua ja vertailua.