Arnold Goldberg
- Selfobject
- Optimal frustration
- Perversion (as defense against fragmentation)
- Empathy
- A Fresh Look at Perversion (1995)
- Being of Two Minds (1999)
- Misunderstanding Freud (2011)
Arnold Goldberg (1929–2023) was an American psychoanalyst and psychiatrist, best known for his contributions to self psychology and his nuanced understanding of perversion. A prominent figure at the Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago, Goldberg extended and refined the work of Heinz Kohut, applying self psychological principles to a wider range of clinical phenomena, including character disorders and narcissistic disturbances. His work emphasized the crucial role of empathy in the therapeutic process and offered a distinctive perspective on perversion as a defensive strategy against psychic fragmentation.[1]
Biography
Arnold Goldberg's career spanned several decades, during which he made significant contributions to both the theory and practice of psychoanalysis. His work is characterized by a deep engagement with classical Freudian thought, coupled with a willingness to incorporate new perspectives and clinical insights, particularly those emerging from self psychology.
Early Life and Education
Goldberg received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis and completed his psychiatric residency at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. He trained in psychoanalysis at the Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago, where he later became a training and supervising analyst. His early training was influenced by Franz Alexander, a pioneer in psychosomatic medicine and a proponent of brief psychoanalytic therapy.
Institutional Affiliations
Goldberg spent the majority of his career at the Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago, a leading center for psychoanalytic training and research. He held various positions within the Institute, including Director of Training and President. He was also a professor of psychiatry at Rush Medical College. His long-standing affiliation with the Institute provided him with a platform to develop and disseminate his ideas, as well as to mentor generations of psychoanalysts.
Key Turning Points
A pivotal moment in Goldberg's career was his engagement with the work of Heinz Kohut, the founder of self psychology. While initially trained in classical Freudian theory, Goldberg was drawn to Kohut's emphasis on the importance of narcissism and the role of selfobjects in psychic development. He became a leading exponent of self psychology, but also offered his own critical perspectives and extensions of Kohut's ideas. His work on perversion, in particular, represents a significant departure from traditional psychoanalytic views.[1]
Engagement with Psychoanalysis
Goldberg's engagement with psychoanalysis was marked by a commitment to both theoretical rigor and clinical relevance. He sought to bridge the gap between classical Freudian theory and self psychology, arguing that both perspectives offered valuable insights into the human psyche.
Clinical Practice and Technique
Goldberg was a practicing psychoanalyst for many years, and his clinical experience informed his theoretical work. He emphasized the importance of empathy in the therapeutic process, arguing that the analyst's ability to understand and respond to the patient's subjective experience was crucial for facilitating psychic growth. He also stressed the need for flexibility and adaptability in technique, tailoring the treatment to the specific needs of the individual patient.
Theoretical Reinterpretation and Critique
Goldberg's theoretical work involved both reinterpreting classical psychoanalytic concepts and offering critiques of traditional psychoanalytic assumptions. He challenged the Freudian view of perversion as a purely sexual phenomenon, arguing instead that it should be understood as a defensive strategy against self-disintegration. He also questioned the emphasis on interpretation in classical psychoanalysis, suggesting that the analyst's primary task was to provide a holding environment in which the patient could develop a more cohesive sense of self.
Relation to Freud and Kohut
Goldberg's work can be seen as a dialogue with both Sigmund Freud and Heinz Kohut. While he acknowledged the importance of Freud's contributions to psychoanalysis, he also argued that Freud's theory was limited by its focus on drives and its neglect of the self. He embraced Kohut's self psychology as a corrective to these limitations, but also sought to refine and extend Kohut's ideas. He maintained a critical stance towards both Freud and Kohut, offering his own unique perspective on the nature of the self and the process of psychoanalytic treatment.
Theoretical Contributions
Goldberg made several significant contributions to psychoanalytic theory, particularly in the areas of self psychology and the understanding of perversion.
Perversion as Defense Against Fragmentation
Goldberg's most distinctive contribution was his reconceptualization of perversion. He argued that perversion should not be viewed simply as a deviation from normal sexual behavior, but rather as a defensive strategy employed by individuals who are at risk of psychic fragmentation. According to Goldberg, perverse acts serve to create a sense of cohesion and stability in the face of overwhelming anxiety and self-disorganization. This perspective shifted the focus from the sexual content of perversion to its underlying psychological function.[1]
The Role of Empathy in Psychoanalytic Treatment
Goldberg emphasized the crucial role of empathy in psychoanalytic treatment. He argued that the analyst's ability to understand and respond to the patient's subjective experience was essential for creating a therapeutic alliance and facilitating psychic growth. He saw empathy not simply as a technique, but as a fundamental attitude of respect and acceptance towards the patient.
The Concept of "Being of Two Minds"
In his book Being of Two Minds, Goldberg explored the phenomenon of psychic conflict and the ways in which individuals can hold contradictory beliefs and feelings. He argued that this "being of two minds" is a universal human experience, and that it can be both a source of creativity and a source of suffering. He suggested that psychoanalytic treatment can help individuals to integrate these conflicting aspects of themselves and to develop a more coherent sense of identity.[2]
Misunderstanding Freud
In Misunderstanding Freud, Goldberg critically examined common misinterpretations of Freud's work, arguing that many contemporary psychoanalytic theories have strayed from Freud's original insights. He sought to reclaim the core principles of Freudian psychoanalysis, while also acknowledging the need to adapt and update Freud's theory in light of new clinical and theoretical developments.[3]
Influence and Legacy
Arnold Goldberg's work has had a significant impact on the field of psychoanalysis, particularly within the self psychology tradition. His ideas have influenced numerous psychoanalysts and psychotherapists, and his writings continue to be widely read and discussed. His emphasis on empathy, his reconceptualization of perversion, and his exploration of psychic conflict have all contributed to a richer and more nuanced understanding of the human psyche.
Key Works
- A Fresh Look at Perversion (1995): A groundbreaking work that reinterprets perversion as a defensive strategy against psychic fragmentation.
- Being of Two Minds (1999): An exploration of psychic conflict and the ways in which individuals can hold contradictory beliefs and feelings.
- Misunderstanding Freud (2011): A critical examination of common misinterpretations of Freud's work.