The initial and current objectives of the Committee on Indexing, as outlined by the Executive Council in 1958, were to select, correlate, and make available for scientific purposes the terms and concepts used in psychoanalysis. The most immediate, and relatively superficial, aspect of this task was the preparation of a Subject Heading Index (S.H.I.) which predominantly serves a “search” function, particularly useful for librarians and both analytic and non-analytic research workers.
Beyond that goal, the Committee has been devoting its energies to the preparation of Index Worksheets covering various major psychoanalytic concept areas which may serve eventually as a research and teaching tool for psychoanalysts. Among these are provisional Worksheets on the Ego (probably the most advanced project thus far), Ego Functions, the Id, Object and Object Relationships, and Psychoanalysis. Others at somewhat earlier stages of development are on Defense Mechanisms, Self, Superego, and Thought. While many members of the Committee have contributed substantially to the Committee's work, a special tribute must go to Dr. Mark Kanzer (Chairman from 1960 to May, 1967) whose seemingly unlimited time and effort provided the solid foundation for much of our increasing output.
In addition, there are various pilot projects on special comprehensive indexes, as well as on potential and practical computerization of this material. In relation to the latter, the Committee has been in active communication with the National Clearinghouse for Mental Health Information (a division of N.I.M.H.).
In brief, our primary goal regarding the Index definitions is to present Freud's meaning of terms, from the Standard Edition or the Fliess letters, wherever this is sufficient. Hartmann's contributions (often together with Kris and Loewenstein) are included where Freud's definitions do not suffice. Other authors (e.g. Anna Freud, Edith Jacobson,
David Rapaport, etc.) are included only when an important and now standard term is clearly identified with the particular person whose writings are crucial to the concept.
Of equal importance are the related concepts (R.C.'s) for each term which refer to the linkages between concepts, the establishment of which constitutes one of the most essential tasks of the S.H.I. Finally there are the source references (S.R.'s) which are the key references to each analytic term, showing its usage and meaning in particular contexts.
The work of the Committee has been advanced recently by a dedicated group of members of the Association as well as several equally devoted colleagues who are graduate members of their local Institutes but not yet of the Association.
The “search and research” function of our work has certainly added to our knowledge and conceptual clarity, and, we hope, will make a contribution to psychoanalysis. We have been informed that the Worksheets, even in preliminary form, have proven of value to instructors and candidates in the teaching of. courses at several of the Institutes.
The members of the Committee are: Martin D. Davis, M.D. (Psa. Ass'n. of N. Y.), John E. Gedo, M.D. (Chicago), Henry H. Hart, M.D. (Western New England), Heinz Lichtenstein, M.D. (Western New York), Jerome L. Saperstein, M.D. (Southern California), Samuel J. Sperling, M.D. (Los Angeles), Harry Trosman, M.D. (Chicago), and George H. Wiedeman, M.D. (New York).
Committee Members from Affiliate Institutes are: Michael F. Basch, M.D. (Chicago), Mark D. Berger, M.D. (Chicago), Alvin H. Blaustein, M.D. (New York), Arnold I. Goldberg, M.D. (Chicago), and George H. Klumpner, M.D. (Chicago).
The majority of the Index Worksheets, when in sufficiently finished form, are available to members on request to the Central Office. Members who so wish may be placed on our mailing list. The Chairman is interested in communicating with members who are interested in active participation or who would like to offer comments on the Committee's work.