You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
In tonight's presentation, Leon Hoffman considered whether there can be a bridge between a relational point of view, which takes into account the role of bodily experiences, and the point of view in which drive and drive derivatives are conceptualized as inextricably linked to relationships from birth on, particularly in the study of feminine psychology. Hoffman emphasized the problematic role of aggression in psychoanalytic theories of women and the avoidance by both men and women of women's passions, as well as the avoidance of the clitoris.
In his introduction, Hoffman wondered why the topic of active oedipal wishes, conflicts, and compromise formations in girls is spoken and written about so infrequently. Why, for some psychoanalysts, has the effect of infantile sexuality been subjugated by a greater focus on relational issues, and why has there been a seeming avoidance of discussing female passions, love, hate, and the importance of the clitoris purely as a source of pleasure? Hoffman expressed concern that there has not been more collaboration between different psychoanalytic schools of thought, to the detriment of a cohesive psychoanalytic perspective of feminine theory. Because there has been little debate between those who see innate forces as the primary influencing agent of behavior and those who view relationships as being the integral agent, according to Hoffman, there is little chance for either theory to mutually influence the other and, as such, little chance for theoretical integration.
Hoffman pointed to Brenner's concept of drive derivatives as one that unites both the relational and drive theories. Brenner believes that drive gratification is directly connected to specific relationships and that sexual and aggressive drives, which are not independent of experience, are directly connected to affects. Therefore, our feelings, stemming from sexual and aggressive drives, are connected to interpersonal