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B Apfelbaum

Publications and source records attributed to B Apfelbaum.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Ego analysis and the relativity of defense: technical implications of the structural theory.

We suggest that it is recognition of the relativity of defense, of the fact that the same content can be either defense or wish, rather than recognition of unconscious defense, that distinguishes the structural from the topographic theory. The structural theory did not simply add to the topographic theory the recognition that defense can be unconscious; it represents a radical shift in the concept of defense and of the relation between defense and wish. Accordingly, ego analysis, as the technical approach generated by the structural theory, is not complementary or preliminary to id analysis, the technical approach generated by the topographic theory. We attempt to demonstrate that the two theories represent antagonistic paradigms, both theoretically and technically. We suggest that "defense before drive," the structural formula for interpretation, made ego syntonicity a crucial determinant in formulating interpretations, and assumed the relativity of defense. Accordingly, the structural revision made possible an equidistant position between defense and wish, reducing reliance on suggestion and establishing interpretive neutrality, which we distinguish from behavioral neutrality.

Defense Mechanisms↗
PubMed1977

A contribution to the development of the behavioral-analytic sex therapy model.

If we work from the assumption that sexual symptoms are functional rather than dysfunctional, we can more fully exploit the opportunity for rapid uncovering therapy created by the symptom focus and the assignment structure of sex therapy. This objective is facilitated by an ego-analytic reevaluation of the way that the repression model is used in conventional uncovering therapy. To illustrate this ego-analytic strategy, it is applied in the hypothetical treatment of a couple who were not capable of or motivated for conventional uncovering therapy and for whom the bypassing appraoch of strictly behavioral sex therapy had failed.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1977

On the etiology of sexual dysfunction.

Lack of consideration of the sexually functional population has led to misconceptions about the causes of both sexual dysfunction and sexual functioning. Although observation of the dysfunctional population appears to indicate that performance anxiety is the first-order cause of dysfunction, it is proposed that in the functional population performance anxiety has the opposite effect, generating automatic functioning rather than dysfunction. The first-order cause of dysfunction is then whatever causes this differential response to performance anxiety, conceivably an inability or unwillingness to bypass pathogenic influences. Thus automatic functioning can mask the effects of all pathogenic influences on sexuality, making these effects appear random, confounding etiological issues and creating the belief that the causes of the sexual dysfunction and sexual disorder cannot be specified.

Adult↗