The Analytic Function: Female Dimension and Male Dimension

Journal title PSICOANALISI
Author/s Antonio Pérez-Sánchez
Publishing Year 2022 Issue 2022/1 Language Italian
Pages 17 P. 91-107 File size 195 KB
DOI 10.3280/PSI2022-001007
DOI is like a bar code for intellectual property: to have more infomation click here

Below, you can see the article first page .

If you want to buy this article in PDF format, you can do it, following the instructions to buy download credits

Anteprima articolo

FrancoAngeli is member of Publishers International Linking Association, Inc (PILA), a not-for-profit association which run the CrossRef service enabling links to and from online scholarly content.

After reviewing the concept of analytic function according to various authors, a definition is proposed based on Bion’s model ♂↔♀ (container/contained). This model implies that in the analytic function there is a feminine dimension in continuous interaction with the masculine. Each dimension has a specific characteristic, which we would schematically represent as follows: for the feminine: ♀-receptivity; and for the masculine: ♂-penetrability. In order to perform his analytical function, the analyst should integrate both factors. Moreover, the interaction between container and containment (receptivity-penetrability) develops at different evolutionary levels, of which we would highlight two patterns: "mouth-nipple" and "vagina-penis". The first would be linked to the nourishing and psychic support function, while the second would be connected to the generative functions: understanding and insights. Although both are present throughout the analytic process, the respective proportions vary: a greater predominance of the first pattern at the beginning of the process, and of the second at later stages. Five one-week sessions are presented to illustrate the second aspect.

Keywords: Analytic function, masculine, feminine, model of container/contained, Bion

  1. Alvarez A. (1983). Problems in the Use of the Countertransference: Getting it Across. J. Child Psychother., 9, 1: 7-23.
  2. Antinucci G. (2004). Another language, another place: To hide or be found?. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 85, 5: 1157-1173. DOI: 10.1516/0020757042259674
  3. Aron L. (2017). Beyond Tolerance in Psychoanalytic Communities: Reflexive Skepticismand Critical Pluralism. Psychoanal. Perspect., 14, 3: 271-282.  DOI: 10.1080/1551806X.2017.134231
  4. Baranger M., Baranger W. (2008). The Analytic Situation as a Dynamic Field1. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 89, 4: 795-826.
  5. BionW. (1961). A theory of thinking. In: Second Thought. London: Karnac Books (trad. it. Una teoria del pensiero. In: Riflettendoci meglio. Roma: Astrolabio, 2016).
  6. Bion W. (1962). Learning From Experience. London: Karnac Books (trad. it. Apprendere dall’esperienza. Roma: Armando, 1970).
  7. Boccara P., Gaddini A., Riefolo G. (2009). Authenticity and the Analytic Process. Am. J. Psychoanal., 69, 4: 348-362.
  8. Bonovitz C. (2007). Whose Who in the Psychoanalytic Situation: Subject, Object, and Enactment in the Relational and Contemporary Kleinian Traditions. Psychoanal. Dial., 17, 3: 411-437. DOI: 10.1080/10481880701413702
  9. Blum A. (2014). “It was Desire Itself”: The Use of a Hook in Music and Psychoanalysis. Fort Da, 20, 1: 105-114. 
  10. Carlson S.N. (2009). Whose Hate is it? Psychoanal. Rev., 96, 6: 895-915. Doi. 10.1521/prev.2009.96.6.895.
  11. Charles M. (2008). Review of “A Beam of Intense Darkness: Wilfred Bion’s Legacy to Psychoanalysis by James Grotstein. London: Karnac Books, 395”. Am. J. Psychoanal., 68, 4: 402-405.
  12. Conway P.S. (1999). When all is said…A Phenomenological Enquiry into Post-Termination Experience. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 80, 3: 563-574.
  13. Craige H. (2002). Mourning Analysis: The Post-Termination Phase. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 50, 2: 507-550.  DOI: 10.1177/00030651020500021001
  14. Eissler, K.R. (1959). On Isolation. Psychoanal. St. Child, 14: 29-60
  15. Feldman M. (1997a). The dynamics of reassurance. In: (Schafer R., ed.), The Contemporary Kleinians of London, Madison, CT: International Universities Press, pp. 321-344.
  16. Frosch A. (2011). The Effect of Frequency and Duration on Psychoanalytic Outcome: A Moment in Time. Psychoanal. Rev., 98, 1: 11-38.
  17. Gaskill, H.S. (1980). The Closing Phase of the Psychoanalytic Treatment of Adults and the Goals of Psychoanalysis “The Myth of Perfectibility”. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 61: 11-23.
  18. Klein M. (1932). The Psycho-Analysis of Children. London: The Hogarth Press (trad. it. La psicoanalisi dei bambini. Firenze: Martinelli, 1969).
  19. Money-Kyrle R.E. (1956). Normal Counter-Transference and Some of its Deviations. Int. J. Psycho-Anal., 37: 360-366.
  20. Marucco N.C. (2007). Entre el recuerdo y el destino: la repetición. Rev. Psicoanál. Asoc. Psico. Madrid, 50, 7: 155-174.
  21. Meltzer D. (1968). The Psychoanalytic Process.London: Heinemann (trad. it. Il processo psicoanalitico. Roma: Armando, 1968).
  22. Ogden, T.H. (2004). On holding and containing, being and dreaming. Int. J. Psycho-Anal.,85, 6: 1349-1364.
  23. Segal H. (1997). Psychoanalysis, literature and war. London: Routledge.
  24. Schlessinger N., Robbins F. (1974). Assessment and Follow-Up in Psychoanalysis. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 22: 542-567.
  25. Slochower J. (1996). Holding and the Evolving Maternal Metaphor. Psychoanal. Rev., 83, 2: 195-218.

Antonio Pérez-Sánchez, La funzione analitica: dimensione femminile e dimensione maschile in "PSICOANALISI" 1/2022, pp 91-107, DOI: 10.3280/PSI2022-001007