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The afternoon segment of the program began with the presentation of the Annual Karen Horney Lecturer, Jean Baker Miller, M.D. Her paper described the characteristics of relationship that enhance growth, and contrasted these with characteristics of relationship that lead to social isolation, disconnection, and psychopathology.
In her work, Miller found women's life experiences to center on connections with others and an “active participation in the development of other people.” These observations have led Miller to propose a theory of psychological development in which individuals connect and relate to one another in ways that foster human growth. She contrasted this with present developmental theories that are based on psychological separation. According to Miller, the goal of development is the increased ability to build and enlarge mutually enhancing relationships through mutual engagement, mutual empathy, and mutual empowerment. This, she stated, is in line with women's experiences and their developmental processes.
Miller described disconnection in children and adults whereby they are prevented from participation in mutually responsive and enhancing relationships. Growth occurs when there exists a possibility to affect the other person and restore connection. When this is not possible, the disconnection provokes isolation and feelings of desperate loneliness. In order to avoid this consequence and accompanying feelings of self-blame, the person will resort to a variety of measures to restore human connection. If they are still unable to affect the relationship, they will change and redefine their sense of self and experience, leading, in turn, to limitations in self-awareness and in the types of relationships that can be engaged.
This pattern of experience occurs frequently in the lives of women as a result of their attempts to achieve connections with others. Miller proposes