Sign-In
Cart
Affect, Object, and Character Structure
Hardcover
Series: Psychology Revivals
ISBN13: 9781041434016
Publisher: Routledge
Published: Nov 2 2026
Pages: 284
Language: English
Affects, object representations, and character structures are three central concerns for contemporary psychoanalytic treatment.
Originally published in 1995, the much neglected difficulties with positive affects and affective attitudes such as joy, exhilaration, courage and competency are explored in this volume through extensive case material. A treatment model emphasizing a reversal of the traditional figure-ground is carefully delineated; positive affects, for so long held in the background, are brought into the foreground and become the central focal points for the psychotherapy process. Oedipal implications of this reversal in figure-ground are comprehensively delineated.
The object relational implications of this reversal of perspective are explored in the volume via an intensive focus upon the protectiveness reactions via which earlier objects are repetitively shielded from angry critical reactions and negative judgments. The incapacity to mourn and, ultimately, let go of pathological introjects and identifications is linked to an unconscious need to protect early objects against unfavorable perceptions and associated affective reactions. A failure to attain maturational momentum from a more adequate process of mourning, object relational integration and psychic healing results from these pathological protectiveness reactions.
Common forms of character pathology and resistances can be viewed as resulting from an excessive need to protect early pathological objects. The extreme stuckness and repetitively unsatisfying behavior patterns of many characterologically disturbed patients can be alleviated via an intensive form of resistance analysis focusing upon the reluctance to experience positive affects and the inner object relational paradigms associated with that reluctance. The paradoxically beloved toxic objects and nostalgic attachments unconsciously underlying many forms of character disorder need to be repeatedly focused upon, in the treatment model explicated in the volume.
Also from
Kissen, Morton
Also in
Cognition
Healing Emotions: Conversations with the Dalai Lama on Psychology, Meditation, and the Mind-Body Connection
H. H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
Salzberg, Sharon
Paperback
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
Herman, Judith Lewis
Paperback
The Complete Guide to the Enneagram: A Modern Approach to Self-Discovery and Connecting Well with Others
MacKenzie, Sierra
Paperback
Mapping the Darkness: The Visionary Scientists Who Unlocked the Mysteries of Sleep
Kenneth Miller
Paperback
True Color: The Strange and Spectacular Quest to Define Color--From Azure to Zinc Pink
Stamper, Kory
Hardcover
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive
Neff, Kristin
Germer, Christopher
Paperback
The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us
Goldstein, Rebecca Newberger
Hardcover
The Love Language(tm) That Matters Most: How to Personalize Love So They Really Feel It
Parrott, Leslie
Parrott, Les
Chapman, Gary
Paperback
Born to Flourish: How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Path to Thriving
Dahl, Cortland
Davidson, Richard J.
Hardcover
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World
McGilchrist, Iain
Paperback
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence---From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
Herman, Judith Lewis
Paperback
Raising Mentally Strong Kids: How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Childre
Fay Phd, Charles
Amen MD Daniel G.
Hardcover
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Brown, Brené
Paperback
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook--What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us about Loss, Love, and
Szalavitz, Maia
Perry, Bruce D.
Paperback
Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success
Brackett, Marc
Paperback
The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity--And Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
Lieberman, Daniel Z.
Long, Michael E.
Paperback
Once I Get Started: The Adult ADHD Program for Turning Your Intentions Into Actions
Ramsay, Russell, PH. D.
Hardcover
The Art of Letting Go: Stop Overthinking, Stop Negative Spirals, and Find Emotional Freedom
Trenton, Nick
Hardcover
Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain: Breaking the Doom Loop to Heal Chronic Physical and Emotional Pain
Amen, Daniel G.
Hardcover
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Van Der Kolk, Bessel
Hardcover
Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence, and Fuel Success
Zahrai, Shadé
Sekkouah, Fayçal
Hardcover
The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss
O'Connor, Mary-Frances
Paperback
Better Small Talk: Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations, and Make Real Friends
King, Patrick
Paperback
From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn't Own You
Lynton, Michael
Steiner, Joshua L.
Hardcover
Where Do You Feel That in Your Body?: Moving Beyond Talk Therapy to Understand the Language of the Nervous System
Saunders, Simone
Hardcover
The 25th Hour: How to Thrive (and Gain Ridiculous Amounts of Time) by Getting Out of Your Own Way
Schore, Neal
Hardcover
What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People
Navarro, Joe
Karlins, Marvin
Paperback
The Courage to Be Ordinary: Discover Your Surprising Superpower for a Thriving Life
Kishimi, Ichiro
Paperback
The Art of Letting Go: Stop Overthinking, Stop Negative Spirals, and Find Emotional Freedom
Trenton, Nick
Paperback
Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to Overcome Anxiety, Panic, and Worry
Karle, Elizabeth M.
Pittman, Catherine M.
Paperback
I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn't): Making the Journey from What Will People Think? to I Am Enough
Brown, Brené
Paperback
Smitten: Romantic Obsession, the Neuroscience of Limerence, and How to Make Love Last
Bellamy, Tom
Hardcover
Unfuck Your Brain Workbook: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers
Harper, Faith G.
Paperback
We All Have Parts!: An Illustrated Guide to Healing Trauma with Internal Family Systems
West, Colleen
Hardcover
Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind
Brewer, Judson
Paperback
The Secret Language of Birthdays: Your Complete Personology Guide for Each Day of the Year
Goldschneider, Gary
Elffers, Joost
Paperback
Big Feelings, Big Joy: The Essential Practices to Reclaim Your Strengths as a Highly Sensitive Person
Snow Lmft, April
Hardcover
Reality Switch Technologies: Psychedelics as Tools for the Discovery and Exploration of New Worlds
Gallimore, Andrew R.
Paperback
The Rejected Parent: Rebuild Your Relationship with Your Child During and After a Divorce or Custody Dispute
Himlin, Cathy
Paperback
Actually, You're Fine: A Compassionate, Practical Guide to Maximizing Your Child's Potential in the Age of Anxiety
Davis, Katie S.
Hardcover
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
Rosenberg, Stanley
Paperback
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
Cron, Ian Morgan
Stabile, Suzanne
Hardcover
Los 7 hábitos de la gente con inteligencia emocional: Domina tus emociones, aumenta tu autoestima y recupera el control de tu vida
Oliver, Daniel M.
Paperback
Read Your Color: Discover Your Reading Type and Build a Life-Changing Love of Books
Reese, Steven J.
Paperback
Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World (Large Print Edition)
Grant, Adam
Paperback
What's True about You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future
Thomas, Katherine Woodward
Hardcover
A Horse's Life: The Neuroscience of Equine Welfare
McDonald, Crissi
Peters, Stephen
Rashid, Mark
Paperback
The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook: Using the Brain's Neuroplasticity to Break the Cycle of Chronic Pain
Blackstone, Vanessa M.
Sinaiko, Olivia S.
Paperback
Tiny Shifts: How Emotional Health Transforms Stress, Relationships, and Longevity
Goldstein, Elisha
Paperback
Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets Ofthe Heart
Doty, James R., MD
Paperback
Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being
Berman, Marc
Hardcover
Better Small Talk: Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations, and Make Real Friends
King, Patrick
Hardcover
How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend: A Neuroscientist's Guide to a Healthier, Happier Life
Barr, Rachel
Hardcover
Carl Jung-Based Shadow Work Journal and Workbook for Deep Healing: Guided Prompts for Emotional Healing, Trauma Recovery, and Mindful Living
Voss, Adeleine
Jung, Carl
Paperback
A Colorful Introduction to the Anatomy of the Human Brain: A Brain and Psychology Coloring Book
Pinel, John
Edwards, Maggie
Paperback
The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science
Doidge, Norman
Paperback
How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend: A Neuroscientist's Guide to a Healthier, Happier Life
Barr, Rachel
Paperback
EMDR Workbook for Kids: A Collection of EMDR Handouts & Worksheets to Help Kids Process Trauma, Stress, Anger, Sadness & More
Mark-Griffin, Christine
Paperback
The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon's Case for the Existence of the Soul
O'Leary, Denyse
Egnor, Michael
Hardcover
Permiso Para Sentir: Educación Emocional Para Mayores Y Pequeños Con El Método Ruler / Permission to Feel
Brackett, Marc
Paperback
A Feminist's Guide to ADHD: How Women Can Thrive and Find Focus in a World Built for Men
Maschke, Janina
Paperback
Save Yourself: A New Approach to Thinking about Money and Taking Control of Your Financial Future
Keehn, Kelley
Paperback
The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time
Korb, Alex
Paperback
Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception
Floyd, Michael
Houston, Philip
Carnicero, Susan
Paperback
The Attachment Theory Workbook: Powerful Tools to Promote Understanding, Increase Stability, and Build Lasting Relationships
Chen, Annie, Lmft
Paperback
Transforming the Shame Triangle: From Shame to Love Using Parts Work
Fern, Jessica
Cooley, David
Paperback
Learn to Read for Kids with Dyslexia: 101 Games and Activities to Teach Your Child to Read
Braun, Hannah, M. Ed
Paperback
How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days
Leibowitz, Kari, PhD
Hardcover
The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes
Tracey, Kevin J., MD
Hardcover
Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways
Cheng-Tozun, Dorcas
Paperback
Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways
Cheng-Tozun, Dorcas
Hardcover
The Essential Enneagram: The Definitive Personality Test and Self-Discovery Guide -- Revised & Updated
Price, Virginia
Daniels, David
Paperback
Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy
Shapiro, Francine
Paperback
Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health--And Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, Ocd, Ptsd, and More
Palmer, Christopher M.
Hardcover
The Hidden Habits of Genius: Beyond Talent, Iq, and Grit--Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness
Wright, Craig
Paperback
The Mindful Therapist: An Interpersonal Neurobiology Approach to Healing and Wholeness
Siegel, Daniel J.
Paperback
After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond
Greyson, Bruce
Paperback