What Is Self Psychology?

By the Self Psychology Page Editors

Self Psychology Page | What is Self Psychology?

Self psychology, a modern psychoanalytic theory and its clinical applications, was conceived by Heinz Kohut in Chicago in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, and is still developing as a contemporary form of psychoanalytic treatment. In self psychology we make the effort to understand our patients from within their subjective experience via vicarious introspection, basing our interpretations on the understanding of the self as the central agency of the human psyche. 'Self' refers both to the integrational function of the self, which creates the experience of a meaningful continuity of the sense of self, and to the degree of the ensuing sense of self cohesion. Clinical phenomena are understood to represent the effects of experiences which either foster or interfere with the achievement and maintenance of self cohesion. Self psychology is a developmental psychology deriving its understanding of the developing psyche from contemporary infant research. In addition, self psychology maintains the concept that human psychological functioning is always embedded in social interactions. These interactions, as they relate to the psychological development in general and to the achievement and maintenance of self cohesion in particular, are referred to as 'selfobject experiences'. Transference phenomena in human relationships as such and within the analytic process in particular are seen in relation to fulfilled and/or unfulfilled wishes and needs for those selfobject experiences which foster psychological growth and which we depend on to a certain degree all through out life.

- Martin Gossmann, MD

Self psychology is Heinz Kohut's contribution to psychoanalytic theory and practice. Kohut was a leading psychoanalyst in the United States, serving as president of the American Psychoanalytic Association and earning himself the nickname, "Mr. Psychoanalysis". His theory of human development, self psychology, builds on Freud's clinical model for data collection (free association) and adds a strong emphasis on the importance of empathy, defined as "vicarious introspection". Self psychology departs significantly from Freudian theory by recognizing the central importance of people's needs for relationships which provide certain types of experiences during growth and development. These experiences are called selfobject experiences. Sufficient positive selfobject experiences when the infant and child are developing facilitate the formation of a strong, cohesive self, the core of one's personality and character.

Unlike Freudian theory, self psychology is not a drive model and does not view the Oedipal conflict as central in human motivation or pathology. The most serious psychological problems which result from injurious developmental experiences are expressed as uncontrolled anger, called narcissistic rage. Narcissistic rage arises from extreme fear and serves to bolster a threatened vulnerable self, giving a temporary sense of strength, cohesion, and self-esteem to a weakened and vulnerable self. Relationships, as well as creative, productive acts, provide needed selfobject experiences of feeling valued and admired. Since Kohut began publishing on empathy and self psychology in 1959, the theory has attracted increasing interest among psychoanalysts and psychotherapists, as well as among students of the humanities, such as philosophy and anthropology. Besides providing a open system structure as the theoretical basis for the successful clinical application of psychoanalysis, self psychology is useful in guiding the clinician in their daily practice and conceptualization of psychotherapy and counseling.

- David Wolf, PsyD