A Developmental Hypothesis of Reality Processing

Robbins, Fred P.; Sadow, Leo

doi:10.1177/000306517402200209

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Later, Robbins and Sadow (1974) usefully developed the notion of reality among patients by distinguishing reality testing, whose basic function is to differentiate internal phantasy from external perception, and what they call 'reality processing'-a more advanced stage of contact, acquaintance, and adaptation to reality. These processes never fi nish, but they are not interrupted either.…”

Section: Reality Testing: 'Reality Tests' 'Sense Of Reality' and 'Rementioning

confidence: 99%

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Sense of reality, reality testing and reality processing in borderline patients

Figueiredo¹

2006

The International Journal of Psychoanalysis

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Although borderline patients are suitable for it, they often undergo repeated testing of fantasies against objective reality without success. A reason for these partial failures is that subjects have not been able to build a solid sense of reality and have found many difficulties for processing reality demands and possibilities. The author puts forward some thoughts on this question, such as the importance of working through the depressive position and the Oedipus complex in the process of building up a solid sense of reality. A sense of reality also favours continuous reality processing. When reality processing becomes as continuous as life itself, the repetition of individual reality tests becomes less frequent and necessary, and more satisfying. The author also presents some recommendations for the psychoanalytic treatment of such patients, stressing the importance and the difficulties of the introduction of the borderline patient into the triangular situation because primitive defences--such as disavowal and denial--are mobilized.

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Section: Reality Testing: 'Reality Tests' 'Sense Of Reality' and 'Rementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is why some authors, e.g. Robbins and Sadow (1974), speak of 'reality processing' and not just 'reality testing'. Nonetheless, an absence of such discrimination is endemic in more disturbed individuals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%