MSc in Theoretical Psychoanalytic Studies

Klein and Bion Reading List
Spring Term 2009
Coordinator - Dr Catalina Bronstein 

Aim: the unit aims to provide an introduction to the ideas of Melanie Klein. During the unit three seminars will be dedicated to exploring the work of Bion focussing on some of his most important theoretical developments.

Objective: students should read some major works of Melanie Klein, and develop a critical understanding of the major conceptual developments which distinguish Melanie Klein and her followers from those in other psychoanalytic traditions, and particularly from Freud.

Background reading and/or general references:

Segal, Hanna: Introduction to the Work of Melanie Klein . Karnac Books, 1973.

Segal, Hanna: Klein . Fontana Modern Masters, 1979

Spillius, Elizabeth. (1994) Development in Kleinian Thought. Overview and Personal view. Psychoanalytic Inquiry , vol 14, no.3, pp324-364.

Petot, Jean-Michel: Melanie Klein, Vol I and II . International University Press, 1990.

Hinshelwood, R.D.: A Dictionary of Kleinian Thought . Free Association Books, 1989.

Bronstein , Catalina. (2001) Kleinian Theory. A Contemporary Perspective , London : Whurr.

Bion, W.R. (1962). Learning from Experience .

Bleandonu, G (1994) Wilfred Bion. His Life and Work . London : Free Association Books.  

Seminar 7

PROJECTIVE IDENTIFICATION AND TRANSFERENCE

Saturday 24th January 11.15-12.45pm

Miss Betty Joseph

Early splitting mechanisms: projective identification as omnipotent phantasy of ridding the self of unwanted parts of personality that could be controlled in the object into which they are projected. Relief from anxiety of annihilation by forces inherent in the self. Introjection of dangerous, powerful and hostile object leading to severe, primitive superego. Object experienced as being imbued with projected qualities. Different ways of conceptualising projective identification: Rosenfeld and Bion. Projective identification as communication of psychic experience and as attack on the mind. Impact of these defence mechanisms on the analyst.

ESSENTIAL READING :

Klein, M (1955): On Identification. The Writings of Melanie Klein, Vol 3 , pp141-175. Folder

Joseph, B (2001) Chapter on Transference in Kleinian Theory: A Contemporary Perspective , London 2001, Whurr. Folder

SUPPLEMENTARY READING :

Sodre, Ignes. (2004) Who's who?  Notes on Pathological Identifications.  Chap 3.  In pursuit of Psychic Change.  Brunner Routledge London 2004

Bell , David (2001) Projective Identification. Chapter in Kleinian Theory A Contemporary Perspective, London 2001, Whurr.

Seminar 8

THE WORK OF WILFRED BION
Friday 30th January 2.15-3.45pm

Dr David Bell

Bion's work has been enormously influential in contemporary psychoanalysis. He broke the mould of psychoanalytic theorising and, in certain respects, we are still dealing with the consequences of his ideas. Armed with Klein's theory and with the new clinical observations which that theory makes possible, Bion was able to give explosive new content to certain Freudian concepts and to give them a clinical meaning.

Bion brings to the centre of psychoanalytic scrutiny: the development of knowledge, the capacity for thought, the nature of understanding. In Bion's work these are all 'problematised', they become objects of investigation.

These seminars will provide an introduction to Bion's work and will aim to clarify, without simplifying, some of his central ideas. His work will be shown to be highly relevant not only to theory and clinical work but also to wider areas such as groups and institutions.

During the seminars we will be mainly discussing Bion's ' Learning from Experience' and you should try to read it prior to the first seminar. It will also help to read Bleandonu, G (1994) Wilfred Bion. His Life and Work . London : Free Association Books.  

ESSENTIAL READING :

Malcolm, R (2001) Chapter on Bion's Theory of Containment in Kleinian Theory: A Contemporary Perspective , London 2001, Whurr. Folder

Bell , D. L. (1995). Knowledge and its Pretenders: Bion's Contribution to Knowledge and Thought. In Ellwood, ed. Psychosis: Understanding and Treatment . London : Jessica Kingsley. Folder

SUPPLEMENTARY READING :

Bion (1961) Experiences in Groups and Other Papers. London : Tavistock. Folder/PEP

Seminar 9

THE WORK OF WILFRED BION
Friday 13th February 4.00-5.30pm

Dr David Bell

ESSENTIAL READING : Bion, W.R. (1962). Learning from Experience . London : William Heinemann. [Reprinted London : Karnac Books,]. BOOK/PEP

Seminar 10

THE WORK OF WILFRED BION
Friday 27th March 2.15-3.45pm

Dr David Bell

ESSENTIAL READING : Bion, W.R. (1962) Learning from Experience . London : William Heinemann. [Reprinted London : Karnac Books,]. BOOK/PEP

SUPPLEMENTARY READING : Meltzer (1998) The Kleinian Development (Last section: The clinical significance of the work of Bion), pp. 273-396, London : Karnac Books

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This page last modified 18 November, 2008 by Sophie Bennett