ON OBJECTS, TRANSFERENCE, AND 2-PERSON PSYCHOLOGY - A CRITIQUE OF THENEW SEDUCTION THEORY

Although object relations theory has become the dominant theoretical p erspective in the psychoanalytic realm, weaknesses within the object r elations perspective have not been examined sufficiently. In particula r, the frequent lack of clarity as to whether a given reference to an ''object'' refers to an internal representation or an external figure has resulted in major problems, distortions, or misapplications in the clinical utilization of object relations theory. This lack of clarity has the effect of transferring the therapist's attention to the role of the external world at the expense of attending to the internal worl d and structure of the patient. This shift to the external interperson al world has particular implications for models of transference and th erapeutic intervention.