ABSTRACT
Although fads in clinical concepts come and go, the concept of a central relationship pattern has remained vital. Eight decades ago, Freud (1912/1958) set forth observations about a new concept of a central relationship pattern—a person-specific, pervasive, long-lasting, “transference template” that guides the conduct of close relationships. Since then, psychodynamic psychotherapists have usually relied on this concept and its supporting observations. One of these observations was that this pervasive pattern has its origins very early in life. But just how early it starts and how pervasive it is in the early years needed to be found out.
