ABSTRACT
The realm of psychoanalysis bestrides, or is transitional between, both forms of symbolization but it has one particular area of interest: this is referred to as psychoanalytic symbolism, which is usually of an isomorphic form. Ernest Jones thought that there were probably survival values in the unidirectional thrust of symbolization in primordial times. I. Matte-Blanco, with data from adult patients on the couch and a conceptual armoury from mathematics, investigates the logical form of the structures that give rise to symbolization. Donald Winnicott, with data from the couch and paediatric clinics, and an armoury from general medicine, investigates the developmental lines which lead to symbolic activity. The transitional object stands for all the stages on the infant’s way from absolute dependency to relative dependency upon mother, and also for the change from relating to the subjectively conceived object to relating to what is objectively perceived as in external reality.
