Chapter 3 Critical Reflections on a Comparative Analysis of “Self Psychology and Intersubjectivity Theory”

Intersubjectivity theory, as elaborated by Stolorow, Atwood, and Brandchaft in their numerous publications (1984, 1987, 1992, 1994), began as a special emphasis and direction in self psychology. It highlighted and clearly articulated what was often only implicit in self psychology or somewhat obscured for many (but not for all) since Kohut's language originated in classical analysis, especially ego psychology. Because Stolorow et al. at first seemed to push the method of empathy to its possible limits—more than some of those who followed Kohut—I was enthusiastic about their contributions to self psychology. These efforts of Stolorow et al. only became controversial within self psychology when the proponents of intersubjectivity theory claimed originality and fundamental difference from the theoretical system out of which intersubjectivity theory (largely1) arose, and began to disregard the original sources