ABSTRACT
Described in this chapter is a study of early psychic contents and processes beginning with a consideration of the differences between Jung, Klein and Isaacs, on the one hand, and Fordham, on the other. Fordham’s theory of a primary self, its actions and how contents are built up in the psyche are illustrated by an infant observation and clinical vignettes showing how similar psychic processes contributing to psychic growth can also result in the failure of psychic development.
