13. General Principles of
Self Psychology:
Discussion on a Position Statement by
J.D. Lichtenberg and E. Wolf
(JAPA, 1997, 45/2:530-542)
Presenters: |
Wolfgang E. Milch, MD
|
Chair: |
Nancy L. Goldman, MA |
J.D. Lichtenberg and E. Wolf point out that self psychology has taken many different directions in the course of broadening its focus from narcissism and empathy to a general theory of normal and pathological development. The authors raise the question whether or not it remains essentially a single theory with different descriptors - a theory of a self-selfobject matrix, a theory of motivational systems, and so forth. By concisely presenting the general principles, Lichtenberg and Wolf offer a significant contribution to the dialogue among the advocates of those differing views.
In accordance with Kohut, the authors define psychoanalysis as the study of empathy and introspection. They focus on experience and move away from structure and other abstractions. Such an emphasis calls for a study of three interrelated approaches; 1.) the study of experience, 2.) the study of the categories of experience which emanate from and organize the self in interaction and 3.) the study of the categories of experience that emanate from and organize the intersubjective matrix. For self psychology, development inherently encourages the emergence of the individual’s potential. Hence, self psychology is a theory of transformational life-cycle development. Theoretical principles are designed to promote and facilitate that transformational potential.
We want to raise the initial question again as to whether these general principles are in fact the building blocks of a single theory of self psychology or whether the general principles need to be expanded upon, in order to represent a reliable common bias of several different theories of the self.