Subject Relations

A revolution is occurring across the intellectual landscape: linear, causational models are yielding to models that stress relativism and interactionism. In Subject Relations, this paradigm shift is applied to psychoanalysis. Traditional psychoanalysis views relationships as forged through individual drives - a satisfaction and fulfillment of needs and desires.

Rucker and Lombardi contend, however, that all relationships cannot be explained so simply; rather, they argue that human relationships carry meanings which cannot be reduced solely to the psychic contributions of each of the individuals involved. Instead, Subject Relations discusses the existence of a related unconscious rooted in mutual subjective experience.