A 1928’s turning point

Sándor Ferenczi and object relations thought in psychoanalysis

Abstract

In this article, we demonstrate that the origins of object relations thought in psychoanalysis can be found in 1928’s turning point undertaken by Sándor Ferenczi in the psychoanalytical field through the publication of three papers: The adaptation of the family to the child, The elasticity of the psycho-analytic technique and The problem of the termination of the analysis. In this trilogy, Ferenczi weaves contributions in three dimensions – metapsychology/psychopathology, clinical theory and ethics in psychoanalysis – that point to the development of an empathic clinical style, inspired in ethics of care, which was the driver for the constitution of object relations thought in psychoanalysis.