Jacob A. Arlow (1912–2004) was an American teacher, scholar, and clinician who served as president of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the New York Psychoanalytic Institute. Arlow was an editor of the '' Psychoanalytic Quarterly'' from 1972 to 1979; and published several articles on

psychoanalysis PsychoanalysisFrom Greek language, Greek: and is a set of theories and techniques of research to discover unconscious mind, unconscious processes and their influence on conscious mind, conscious thought, emotion and behaviour. Based on The Inte ...

, as well as writing a history of psychoanalytic history, and co-authoring with Charles Brenner the influential text ''Psychoanalytic Concepts and the Structural Theory''.

Fantasy and myth

In perhaps his most significant theoretical contribution to psychoanalysis, Arlow explored the role of unconscious fantasy from the point of view of

ego psychology Ego psychology is a school of psychoanalysis rooted in Sigmund Freud's structural id-ego-superego model of the mind. An individual interacts with the external world as well as responds to internal forces. Many psychoanalysts use a theoretical c ...

, both subsuming its use in Kleinian theory, and providing the building block for Brenner's later development of

conflict theory Conflict may refer to: Social sciences * Conflict (process), the general pattern of groups dealing with disparate ideas * Conflict continuum from cooperation (low intensity), to contest, to higher intensity (violence and war) * Conflict of ...

. His earlier article on ''Fantasy Systems in Twins'' (1960) was used by Maynard Solomon to illuminate the inner development of

Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most revered figures in the history of Western music; his works rank among the most performed of the classical music repertoire ...

, Arlow observing that the “bond of complete understanding which is missing with the parent unites the twins in the wish fantasy....The existence of another individual who is a reflection of the self brings the experience of twinship in line with the psychology of the double”. He also explored the role of

myth Myth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that refers to a belief that is not true. Instead, the ...

in bridging the gap between individual instinctual conflicts and cultural ideals.

Psychoanalyitc limitations

Arlow insisted on the limitations of psychoanalysis, inherent both in its technique and in the human experience itself, and warned against any quest for perfection through psychoanalysis.

Criticism

Heinz Kohut in his self psychology would challenge the Arlow/Brenner belief that

narcissistic personality disorder Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a life-long pattern of grandiosity, exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a diminished ability to empathy, empathize w ...

could be understood within the methodology of the

transference Transference () is a phenomenon within psychotherapy in which repetitions of old feelings, attitudes, desires, or fantasies that someone displaces are subconsciously projected onto a here-and-now person. Traditionally, it had solely co ...

neurosis.Heinz Kohut, ''The Analysis of the Self'' (Madison 1971) p. 6n

References

External links

Interview
American psychoanalysts Jewish psychoanalysts 1912 births 2004 deaths 20th-century American psychologists American psychotherapists 21st-century American psychologists {{US-psychologist-stub

Fantasy and myth

Psychoanalyitc limitations

Criticism

See also

References

External links