Fairbairn and the Object Relations Tradition

Substantial contributions from an internationally varied host of authors use newly available material to develop novel aspects of Fairbairn’s life and theory, reviewing the basic ideas of his theory, clinical application, and new developments built on his object relations vision of psychoanalysis. Comprising thirty-nine papers, thirty-six of which are original to this volume, the book is divided into four main sections – historical, clinical, theoretical and applied.

Fairbairn’s contribution to object-relations theory is rehearsed and the future development of Fairbairn’s work is considered. Fairbairn’s relationship with Guntrip and Winnicott is explored, his influence on a philosophical and a clinical understanding of multiplicity is assessed, his social and historical papers are mined for his views on prejudice and the social order, and new models of clinical configurations suggested. Fairbairn’s relationship with and influence on Mitchell is investigated from different perspectives and his position within Scottish and psychoanalytic history also developed.

Fairbairn’s contribution to couple therapy, to an understanding of the Oedipus situation, to the acceptance and understanding of literary works and to child welfare are all broached. The influence of religion and Fairbairn’s own understanding of his gender identity are explored based on newly available documents including some self-analytic notes. Fairbairn’s influence in South America and in particular Argentina is manifest in a variety of contributions, and his significant but generally forgotten or ignored contribution to psychoanalytic aesthetics is assessed.