Projective Identification - A Scholarly Psychoanalysis Study

In this review of Projective Identification, Elizabeth Spillius and Edna O'Shaughnessy present a focused, scholarly examination of a core psychoanalytic concept that will appeal to clinicians and advanced students. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its historical and theoretical tracing of projective identification from Melanie Klein's original formulations through later debates and adaptations, offering readers a careful synthesis rather than a how-to manual. For anyone engaged in psychoanalytic theory or complex clinical formulation, this volume provides clear context and comparison across regions and schools.

Key Features

• Historical analysis: The authors trace the development of projective identification from antecedents in Freud to Klein's naming, helping readers see the concept in historical perspective.
• Comparative discussion: The book compares how analysts in Britain, Western Europe, North America and Latin America have accepted, modified or rejected the idea, making it useful for international readers.
• Use of unpublished material: By describing Klein's published and unpublished views, the authors give access to nuances that clarify shifts in the original formulation.
• Theoretical synthesis: Spillius and O'Shaughnessy review various descriptions and evolutions of the concept so readers can follow contested points and consensus areas.
• Clinical relevance: The discussion links theoretical debates with beliefs about clinical usefulness, aiding clinicians who want to connect concept to practice.

Who It's For

This book is best for psychoanalytic clinicians, advanced trainees and graduate students in psychology or counseling who already know basic Kleinian concepts and want a deeper, historically informed account. It is also suited to scholars of psychoanalytic history interested in how a single concept traveled across schools and countries.

Read elsewhere if you need a practical manual, step-by-step interventions, or an introductory textbook for beginners; the treatment here assumes prior familiarity with psychoanalytic terminology and theory.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Detailed historical tracing clarifies how the concept of projective identification emerged and changed over time.
• Comparative perspective across geographic regions highlights theoretical diversity and reception.
• Inclusion of Klein's unpublished views provides valuable context for specialists.

Cons

• The book is theoretical and not intended as a clinical manual, which may limit usefulness for readers seeking practical techniques.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Projective Identification is a valuable, well-researched scholarly resource for clinicians and scholars who want a concise, comparative history of a central psychoanalytic construct. Its strength lies in synthesis and archival detail rather than clinical instruction, making it good value for readers seeking theoretical clarity and international perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book explain Klein's original idea?
Yes; it describes Klein's published and unpublished views and situates her definition within earlier and later thought.

Is this a clinical handbook?
No; the book discusses clinical usefulness conceptually but is not a step-by-step treatment manual.

Who benefits most from reading it?
Advanced students, psychoanalytic clinicians and scholars of psychoanalytic history will gain the most benefit.