This paper adopts the standpoint that psychoanalytic theory has been in a state of continuous organic development from the beginning, with states of theoretical strain being generated with each new advance in theory. The meaning of concepts becomes stretched, and psychoanalysts develop implicit theories, concepts and definitions that differ from the 'official' or 'public' formulations.

While flexible concepts play an important part in psychoanalytic theory, it should be accepted that each may have a number of dimensions of meaning, and that these dimensions may differ from one psychoanalyst to another. Research should be directed towards making explicit the implicit concepts of practising psychoanalysts, and it is suggested that this process will result in the accelerated development of psychoanalytic theory. The essentials of that theory must be those aspects which relate to the work the psychoanalyst has to do, and therefore its main emphasis needs to be clinical.