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VII. THE SETTING IN PSYCHOANALYTIC DICTIONARIES
It is significant that there is no entry for “setting” in many frequently consulted psychoanalytic dictionaries. Nevertheless, some of the elements of the concept “setting” can be found in these dictionaries: free association, evenly suspended attention, abstinence, neutrality and technique. The only exceptions that have ”Setting” or a corresponding term as an entry are: Psychoanalytic Terms and Concepts, Eds: Auchincloss, E. and Samberg, E. (2012) under “Analytic Process”, Dictionnaire international de la psychanalyse, Ed: De Mijolla, A. (2013) and Diccionario de Psicoanálisis Argentino, Ed: Borenszstejn, C. (2014) under “Bleger/Encuadre [Frame]” and “Campo Psicoanalitico [Field]”.
VIII. CONCLUDING COMMENTS
The analytic setting as established by Freud has clearly remained valid in current clinical practice in all three regions. Developments have predominantly occurred in conceptualising and understanding the unconscious meanings of the setting for patient and analyst, particularly following the work of Bleger and Winnicott. Bion’s concept of “reverie” has led to further elaborations of the work of the analyst (internal setting) and of the analytic process itself. The focus on the analytic attitude and the work of the analyst is also linked to the expanding concept of countertransference. The terms “setting” and “frame” are used by some interchangeably, whilst others differentiate the two terms in relation to the “rules” and boundaries of the setting and the process which occurs within the frame. In Latin America there is explicit concern about the need to adapt the classical psychoanalytic setting in relation to current social and cultural realities, which are seen to mitigate against the acceptance of the traditional setting. Maybe more importance to the term “setting” is now being given, because there is a concern that changes in the conditions for conducting psychoanalysis (i.e. via new technologies involving virtual presence ) might result in the risk of losing the meaning and importance of this fundamental concept.
In the text above pages 1 – 10 have been written mainly – but not exclusively – from European psychoanalytic sources, pages 10 – 13 from North American sources and pages 13 -14 from Latin American sources.
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