Problems and Methods in Psychoanalytic Research

The last two decades have been witness to significant developments and innovations in psychoanalytic research methods. Every indication is that this trend will continue. However, as these changes take place, it is important to evaluate them from the standpoint of their capability to produce valid results. On the one hand, their proponents claim that they add to validity—that, of course, is why they are developed. Critics of the new methods wonder if the claims of increased validity are justified. Indeed, in regard to some methods, a more serious question is raised, that is, that the new methods depart so greatly from what is essential to psychoanalytic research that they are incapable of developing meaningful data.

In this paper I will act as a proponent of some new methods. My plan is to indicate the positive values of these methods. Then, I will consider some of the questions and objections that may be raised. Finally, I will attempt to demonstrate that these objections can be overcome.

Let us begin with the definition of psychoanalytic research. (This, of course, is my definition—the reader may or may not agree with it.) Psychoanalytic research is research planned from a psychoanalytic theoretical viewpoint. Its purpose is to elucidate various aspects of psychoanalytic theory either in abstract or applied forms. The techniques utilized to implement this research may vary from one end of the methodological continuum (in which there is close adherence to traditional psychoanalytic