Discussion

The primary aim of psychoanalytic institutes is to train psychoanalysts. The core of psychoanalytic education is direct observation and study of psychoanalytic data and the psychoanalytic process as are obtained in the candidate's own analysis and in the supervised conduct of psychoanalysis. It is for this reason that psychoanalytic educators have long been concerned with helping candidates find patients where the psychoanalytic process is most likely to develop. In such a circumstance the candidate is provided the optimal opportunity for learning how to apply the psychoanalytic method and to learn how psychoanalytic concepts are empirically grounded in the data of observation that uniquely emerge through the psychoanalytic process. In contrast, attempts to apply the psychoanalytic method to patients unable to participate in its requirements typically lead to clinical misfortune and discouragement, and deprive the candidate of opportunities for fully learning about the method and the relationship of theory to data.

Over the years a variety of methods have been studied for helping candidates select promising cases. These methods have ranged from having novice candidates select their own cases with minimal supervised assistance, to having cases selected for them by experienced analysts individually or with the participation of selection committees, or combinations of both. The means employed for selection have ranged from one to a series of interviews, independently obtained clinical and life history information, psychological testing, or combinations of these means. In recent times the most widely used means of selection have included interviews by experienced analysts presenting