In this expanded edition of a classic text, Anton Kris reexamines the method of free association, one of the foundational components of psychoanalysis. Tracing the history of the concept from its original pride of place among early analysts through its more recent downgrading, Kris reformulates the multifaceted illumination that free association provides, thereby assigning it a central place in contemporary thinking about psychoanalytic technique.
Preface
- Formulation from the Viewpoint of Free Association
- Varieties of Free Association
- Functions of Free Association
- The Method of Free Association
- Reluctance, Resistance, and Negative Attitudes
- The Dynamics of Free Association
- Satisfaction in Free Association
- Free Association in Two Kinds of Conflict
- Transference and Free Association
- Countertransference and Free Association
- Illustrations of the Free Association Process
- Development and Free Association
- Free Association in Psychotherapy
- Prospects for Education and Research
Biography
Anton O. Kris
"Beginning from the study of the patient's associations in analysis, Dr. Kris develops a remarkably lucid exposition of psychoanalytic technique. He draws on his own extensive experience as a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist to show the influence on technique of new views of mental development, of psychic conflict, transference and countertransference. Beautifully written, and rich in clinical examples, this book is a wonderful and indeed indispensable text for all those practicing psychoanalysis and psychotherapy."
- Joseph Sandler, Ph.D., Professor of Psychoanalysis, Emeritus, University College London
"Kris has grasped the concept of free association, so pivotal to the technique of psychoanalysis from the very inception of our discipline, has marked its gradual downgrading - from its original pride of place as our once uniquely psychoanalytic method of enquiry - over our centruy of clinical and theoretical psychoanalytic development, and, in his contemporary comprehensive reconsideration, has impressively reformulated the multi-faceted illumination that renewed focus on free association, in all its vicissitudes, can bring to the data of psychoanalysis and to the theoretical formulations that we construct from our data. This book should be read by all analysts concerned with the ever evolving interplay of our data, our techniques for eliciting them, and the theories we build or affirm from them, and who among us is not so concerned?"
- Robert S. Wallerstein, M.D., Past President, International Psychoanalytical Association
