Discussed here are some of Michael Balint's contributions in the field of two-person psychology: his observations upon the importance of object-relations in human development, his theoretical presentation of the concept of the “basic fault,” and his description of two character types, the ocnophil and the philobat. A concluding statement attempts to link Balint's theoretical concepts to issues of health and maturity as encountered by physicians in general medical practice.
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References
1.
BalintM: Primary Love and Psycho-Analytic Technique. New York, Liveright, 1965.
2.
FerencziS: Thalassa: A Theory of Genitality. New York, Norton, 1968.
3.
BalintM: The Basic Fault: Therapeutic Aspects of Regression. London, Tavistock, 1968.
4.
WinnicottDW: Transitional objects and transitional phenomena, Collected Papers: Through Paediatrics to Psycho-Analysis. London, Tavistock, 1958.
5.
BalintM: Thrills and Regressions. New York, International Universities Press, 1959.
