As far as his importance in the history of pyschoanalytic theory, how are Heinz Kohut's contributions generally rated

-- Walter John Richar (walter_j_richar@snet.net), February 15, 2003

Answers

A complex question! Kohut is recognized as the founder of self psychology, a unique school of thought with a considerable following. He is frequently cited in discussions of narcissism, for his emphasis on the normal narcissistic stage of development as different from pathological narcissism. He is also frequently cited for his discussions of transference phenomena, especially in narcissistic patients. Thus, I would say that Kohut is significant as the leader of a major school of late 20th-century psychoanalysis. And also that he created considerable controversy by advocating a theory--so that he is as frequently cited by his detractors as he is by his followers. I think it would also be fair to say that one could not tell the history of late 20th-century psychoanalysis without including him in the story.

-- Hendrika Vande Kemp (hendrika@earthlink.net), February 16, 2003.