Transference and its usefulness in psychotherapy in the light of empirical evidence Cover Image

Transference and its usefulness in psychotherapy in the light of empirical evidence
Transference and its usefulness in psychotherapy in the light of empirical evidence

Author(s): Emilia Wegner, Norbert Maliszewski, Hubert Suszek
Subject(s): Psychology
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: transference; transference interpretation; psychoanalysis; psychotherapy; social cognition

Summary/Abstract: The paper is aimed at finding answers to the following questions: (1) Is there empirical evidence for the psychoanalytic concept of transference? (2) Is there empirical evidence for the usefulness of working with transference in psychotherapy? Objections concerning the reality and practical value of transference have been summarized. A review of research dedicated to transference has been conducted, covering fundamental research in the psychology of social cognition as well as research on psychotherapy using both psychodynamic and nonpsychodynamic approaches. Studies from the first group confirm the existence of transference. Studies from the second group indicate conditions in which working with transference in psychotherapy seems to be efficient. Implications for psychotherapy practice have been formulated.

  • Issue Year: 18/2015
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 363-380
  • Page Count: 18