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of alpha function, not necessarily related only to clinical conditions. Anti-alpha function receives psychic data and turns them into concrete and sensuous images. The model describes a universal primitive tendency of the human mind to concretise non-sensual mental phenomena, turning psychic reality into concrete sensuous reality, precluding free association. Drawing on Bion’s theory of thinking , Sandler describes an active process whereby α -elements are transformed into β-elements, which can then masquerade as intelligible sense data. In a clinical situation, under the sway of this process, the analyst relates to the patient’s material as if it were truly describing concrete external reality rather than disguising immaterial psychic reality. Anti-alpha-function links with projective identification, and can be operating in the mind of both patient and analyst, to evade painful depressive position. Sandler suggests this kind of mental functioning is far more widespread in society than is immediately apparent, accounting for serious distortions in our collective relationship to reality (1997). However, in non-pathological circumstances, such an anti-alpha function is also activated as an intermediate step in communication as it is found in art, early life, and actions for purposes of concrete survival, etc (2005a). [So widely conceptualized capacity for anti-alpha function may have connecting points with certain types of regression, theorized within post-Freudian conceptual network, as a ‘regression in the service of the ego’ (Kris 1952). Anti-alpha function also describes the intellectualizing and minimizing defenses used to ward off authentic and psychically distressing experiences].
V. RELATED CONCEPTS
The Container/Contained model has developed parallel with other “space” concepts of the mind, which focus upon the necessity of internalizing a maternal function for developing the capacity for thinking/symbolizing/mentalizing. Containment should be distinguished from holding (Winnicott,1960). The holding object constitutes only one environmental object, whose significance is determined by the infant or analysand; whereas the containing object constitutes an object whose valence is equivalent to that of the containing object (container) and its ‘liege’ (its link to the object to be contained). D.W. Winnicott’s concept of holding conveys, as the concept of containment, that the infant cannot be understood independent of the mother, and that internalization of a maternal ‘holding’ function is necessary for mental development. However, holding is a broader term encompassing both a heightened psychical sensitivity to the infant’s needs as well as physical holding and total environmental provision (Winnicott, 1960). Containment on the other hand implies a more active intrapsychic involvement on the part of the object, depending more on her personality.
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