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Dr. Ackerman's book is divided into four parts. The first section contains a statement of theory and is oriented toward two purposes: one, to integrate psychoanalytic, gestalt and adaptational (or biodynamic) theory in terms of the individual's relationship to society; two, to construct a theoretical framework within which the emotional functioning of the individual and the psychosocial functioning of the family may be integrated. Ackerman feels that this expanded point of view can improve the validity of prognosis in treatment and also provide a substantial basis for social research. He feels that this broad frame of reference is lacking in orthodox Freudian theory, which seems to him to be confined to the understanding of single individuals.
The sociological concept of “role” is applied both to clinical material and to ordinary family relationships. “Family roles” are said to be the connecting links between internal processes of individuals and group patterns of the family. Roles are conceived of as complementary relations, one role calling forth the other; i. e. husband-wife, mother-father, child-sibling, etc. The self is said to have two aspects; one is that of personal identity, derived from relationships within the family; the second is social identity, emerging from membership in extra-familial groups. Social identity is more amenable to change than personal identity.
The second part of the book is devoted to an exploration of family relationships and to the place of the family within larger social groups:
I regard the progressive stages of personality organization of the
Page 122child as advancing levels of biosocial integration with, and differentiation from, the environment. The basic drives of the child are to be evaluated within the frame of changing integrations of personality and changing integrations of the individual into family relationships. At each stage of maturation, drive, defense, perception of self, perceptions of persons in the environment, conflict