Winnicott conceived of potential space primarily in terms of the vicissitudes of illusion and reality. Loosened from its ties to illusion and reality, potential space is depicted in terms of 4 interrelated, dialectical processes (surrender-generation, recognition-negation, care-quiescence, and disruption-repair), which can be found, in part, in Winnicott's formulations. Reformulating potential space in terms of these fourfold pairs captures the complexity and paradox of the presence and absence of self-states in successful and failed developmental and psychoanalytic interactions. In addition, these 4 interpersonal dynamics more adequately extend the concept of potential space to all phases of human life.