SIGNAL AFFECTS AND OUR PSYCHOANALYTIC CONFUSION OF TONGUES

Difficulties psychoanalysis of different points of view have in commun icating with one another are reviewed. Reexamination of the structural theory distinguishes the tripartite theory of 1923 from the signal af fect model of 1926; the latter concept is traced through the post-Freu dian relational points of view. This signal affect model provides a ba se for what the author sees as a core commonality among the diverse cu rrent theories, as well as a basis for sharper, more empirically argua ble differentiation of the divergences and incompatibilities among the m. The interest in and acceptance, in recent ears, of Ferenczi's contr ibutions in his 1933 paper on confusion of tongues reflect a shift in our views of psychoanalytic technique over the intervening years, towa rd an interactional view of the psychoanalytic process. The relational points of view have been instrumental in this shift, by direct contri butions, and indirectly by challenging and inspiring the classical vie wpoint to develop and change. The relational points of view, in additi on to focusing on different contents, also prescribe differences in te chnical approach and in the climate within which an analysis is conduc ted, presenting valuable alternatives in clinical work. Finally, argum ents are offered in favor of clinicians using multiple theoretical poi nts of view for access to the varied clinical tasks demanded by analyt ic work.