Chapter 7. Elements of Psycho-Analysis

I shall represent the table set out in Chapter 6 by the sign I.1 I do not propose to discuss what meaning if any is to be attached to classes represented by co-ordinates such as 5.1. We need not suppose that such elements exist. Nevertheless I do not wish to discard them for the present; I propose to reconsider the axes of the framework in the search for elements. When I use the sign I, I mean it to represent either the whole table or any one or more of the compartments I have distinguished by co-ordinates. As an example suppose that in the course of an analysis the material suggests the predominance of I. This impression should be gained as a result of relaxed or free-floating attention; this state of mind approximates to that represented by D4 (since I am already disposed by my personality and psychoanalytic training to entertain certain expectations). A state of attention, being receptive to the material the patient is producing, approximates to a pre-conception and therefore the change from attention to preconception is represented by a move from D4 on the Grid to E4. If I seek confirmation from other material that the patient is presenting, E3 and E5 are swept into activity; if I begin to verbalize my impressions F5 is also involved. If it now appears that the time is ripe for an interpretation a further shift takes place, this time towards G6 with a view to a formulation intended to affect the patient.

As aspects of the patient's behaviour relevant to his psychoanalysis belong to the class of phenomena represented by I, they will be represented by certain of the tabulated categories. Suppose the patient has said, at the commencement of the session, 'I know that

you do not like me.' From knowledge of the patient I may think he is referring to something in the previous session. It would then be a theory enshrining his view of a past event. In that case the realization may be regarded as approximating to G3. But if the