Contexts of Being
The Intersubjective Foundations of Psychological Life
Analytic Press,U.S.
Published on 1. October 1992
Book
Hardback
158 pages
978-0-88163-152-4 (ISBN)
Description
In this volume, the authors complete the circle begun with Faces in a Cloud (1979) and continued with Structures of Subjectivity (1984) and Psychoanalytic Treatment: An Intersubjective Approach (1987- with Brandchaft). They now extend intersubjectivity theory to a rethinking of the foundational pillars of psychoanalytic theory since they have already demonstrated the degree to which psychological theory is influenced by the subjective world of the psychological theorist, explored the various "structures of subjectivity" that organize the subjective world, and applied the intersubjective perspective to a broad array of clinical issues.
Beginning with an in-depth critique of the concept of the isolated individual mind, Stolorow and Atwood argue that this myth has long obstructed recognition of the intersubjective foundations of psychological life. The authors then proceed to a series of chapters that reframe, from the standpoint of intersubjectivity theory, basic assumptions of the psychoanalytic theory of mental life. Concluding chapters on "varieties of therapeutic alliance" and "varieties of therapeutic impasse" further exemplify the ability of intersubjectivity theory to reorient the psychoanalytic therapist, thus providing fresh strategies for understanding and addressing the most challenging clinical contingencies.
Contexts of Being is the conceptual culmination of Stolorow and Atwood's earlier studies, giving them a forum to explain why the perspective of intersubjectivity cannot be reduced to a clinical sensibility that can be grafted onto existing psychoanalytic theory. Rather, the authors argue, the intersubjective perspective has methodological and epistemological implications that mandate a radical revision of all aspects of psychoanalytic thought. Not only a cogent elaboration of these implications, the volume is also an important first step in effecting the sweeping revision that follows from them.
Beginning with an in-depth critique of the concept of the isolated individual mind, Stolorow and Atwood argue that this myth has long obstructed recognition of the intersubjective foundations of psychological life. The authors then proceed to a series of chapters that reframe, from the standpoint of intersubjectivity theory, basic assumptions of the psychoanalytic theory of mental life. Concluding chapters on "varieties of therapeutic alliance" and "varieties of therapeutic impasse" further exemplify the ability of intersubjectivity theory to reorient the psychoanalytic therapist, thus providing fresh strategies for understanding and addressing the most challenging clinical contingencies.
Contexts of Being is the conceptual culmination of Stolorow and Atwood's earlier studies, giving them a forum to explain why the perspective of intersubjectivity cannot be reduced to a clinical sensibility that can be grafted onto existing psychoanalytic theory. Rather, the authors argue, the intersubjective perspective has methodological and epistemological implications that mandate a radical revision of all aspects of psychoanalytic thought. Not only a cogent elaboration of these implications, the volume is also an important first step in effecting the sweeping revision that follows from them.
Reviews / Votes
"This book succeeds admirably in describing an important new viewpoint in psychoanalysis in an easily accessible way. Whatever one's view of the intersubjective approach, this volume ensures that view can be based on its lucid exposition."- Robert Galatzer-Levy, M.D., International Journal of Psychoanalysis
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Hillsdale
United States
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-88163-152-4 (9780881631524)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Robert D. Stolorow | George E. Atwood
Contexts of Being
The Intersubjective Foundations of Psychological Life
E-Book
05/2014
1st Edition
Routledge
€48.99
Available for download

Robert D. Stolorow | George E. Atwood
Contexts of Being
The Intersubjective Foundations of Psychological Life
E-Book
05/2014
1st Edition
Routledge
€48.99
Available for download

Robert D. Stolorow | George E. Atwood
Contexts of Being
The Intersubjective Foundations of Psychological Life
Book
06/2002
1st Edition
Analytic Press,U.S.
€54.90
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Persons
Author
Founding Faculty Member, Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles, and Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, New York
Professor of Clinical Psychology (Emeritus), Rutgers University, and Founding Faculty Member, Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, New York
Content
Part I: Theoretical Foundations. The Myth of the Isolated Mind. Three Realms of the Unconscious. The Mind and the Body. Trauma and Pathogenesis. Fantasy Formation. Part II: Clinical Applications. Varieties of Therapeutic Alliance. Varieties of Therapeutic Impasse.