The Psychoanalytic Quarterly: Origins and Early History
The establishment of The Psychoanalytic Quarterly marked a pivotal moment in the dissemination of psychoanalytic thought within the United States. Founded to serve as a dedicated platform for the study of the human mind, the journal sought to bridge the gap between international theories and American clinical practice.
The Founding Vision
The journal was established by a group of four key figures: Dorian Feigenbaum, Bertram D. Lewin, Frankwood Williams, and Gregory Zilboorg. From its inception, the founders intended for the publication to be a strictly psychoanalytic organ based in America.
The primary objectives of the Quarterly were threefold: to focus on theoretical, clinical, and applied psychoanalysis; to maintain close collaborations with international associates; and to stimulate and provide a professional outlet for American psychoanalytic work.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Early Contributions and Influence
The journal launched with significant intellectual weight, featuring the work of the father of psychoanalysis himself. The lead article of the first issue was Libidinal Types by Sigmund Freud. In its inaugural year, the publication featured three articles by Freud, which were translated into English by Edith B. Jackson.
Professional Rivalries and Challenges
The emergence of The Psychoanalytic Quarterly was not without controversy. In England, Ernest Jones, the editor of The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, viewed the new publication as a direct competitor.
Similarly, the journal was closely monitored by William Alanson White and Smith Ely Jelliffe of the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis, the organization responsible for the Psychoanalytic Review. Correspondence from the time reveals a mix of professional respect and skepticism. While acknowledging the quality of the Quarterly, critics expressed concerns regarding potential backlash from conservative religious circles (the "R. C. gentry") over the nature of the content, as well as doubts regarding the journal's financial sustainability.
Summary of Founding Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founders | Dorian Feigenbaum, Bertram D. Lewin, Frankwood Williams, Gregory Zilboorg |
| Primary Focus | Theoretical, clinical, and applied psychoanalysis |
| Key Early Contributor | Sigmund Freud (translated by Edith B. Jackson) |
| Competing Publications | The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, Psychoanalytic Review |
Key Facts
- Founded to provide a strictly psychoanalytic outlet for American practitioners and theorists.
- The first issue featured Sigmund Freud's "Libidinal Types" as the lead article.
- Three Freud articles were published in the journal during its first year.
- The journal faced professional tension with Ernest Jones and the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded The Psychoanalytic Quarterly?
The journal was established by Dorian Feigenbaum, Bertram D. Lewin, Frankwood Williams, and Gregory Zilboorg.
What was the main goal of the journal?
Its goal was to fill the need for a strictly psychoanalytic publication in America, focusing on theoretical, clinical, and applied psychoanalysis while stimulating American work.
Which famous author contributed to the first issue?
Sigmund Freud contributed the lead article, titled "Libidinal Types," which was translated by Edith B. Jackson.
How did other psychoanalytic publications react to its launch?
Ernest Jones saw it as a competitor to The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, and members of the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis viewed it with a mixture of admiration and concern over its financial and social viability.