THE TRANSFERENCE AND THE ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT

The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is discussed, a construct that, when introduced into psychoanalysis, advances understanding of the ke y clinical relationship between the intrapsychic and the interpersonal . Strands from several psychoanalytic formulations are brought togethe r and forged into a coherent construct, which is then contrasted with the transference. It is shown how the ZPD provides the transference wi th its mutative potential. Just as the transference provides the motiv ation for the recruitment of objects to accomplish its purposes (repet ition), the ZPD leads to the recruitment of objects in order to accomp lish its purposes (to learn by ushering individuals into a speech and internalization community). Under the sway of the transference objects are sought so that early disregulating experiences can be repeated an d an opportunity provided for a better resolution. The ZPD works in ta ndem with the transference, capitalizing on the impetus provided, allo wing for the possibility of internalization, a beneficial outcome to t ransference repetition which otherwise would have no agent of conflict resolution. In analysis, when the transference and the ZPD enjoin smo othly, the potential outcome is ''insight'' in a broad sense. The proc esses of the ZPD define the optimal interpersonal context of psychoana lysis, one that allows the intrapsychic to be best reached by analytic interventions. Given the inevitability of mutual influences between a nalyst and analysand, the analyst strives simultaneously to be in the ZPD yet outside the transference with the analysand, a crucial tension that is a constant, precarious technical factor. This useful tension casts light on such procedural guides as optimal frustration and absti nence.