Abstract

ALMEIDA, Mariângela Mendes de. From the reel to the island: new challenges for the concept of transference and developments raised by work with primitive states of mind. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2010, vol.44, n.4, pp.59-66. ISSN 0486-641X.

From Freud's initial observations about his grandson's symbolic representations of separation experiences, through playing with the reel, to significant conceptual and technical developments within the area of child analysis and play, we have been faced with expansions of psychoanalytic instruments in order to access different levels of mental functioning. This paper proposes a retrospect and reflection about the development of the concept of transference, considering expansions allowed by clinical practice with primitive states of mind. The scope and elasticity of the concept of transference are discussed, with Freud as a reference point, throughout the developments produced by psychoanalytic investigation of psychotic aspects of personality, primitive states of mind, and the psychoanalytic work with children with autistic disorders. These important developments in clinical practice, and consequently developments in psychoanalytic theory, allowed us access to this field, previously considered unreachable by the pioneer of Psychoanalysis himself. Clinical vignettes of psychoanalytic work with an autistic child are used to illustrate the discussion, suggesting that a new challenge to the development of the concept of transference could consist in incorporating (or discriminating, creating parallel formulations) primitive aspects of mental functioning which are present within analytic contact.

Keywords : transference; primitive states of mind; autistic spectrum disorders.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )