Books / Psychodynamic & attachment
Ego Psychology and the Problem of Adaptation
Heinz Hartmann’s account of ego psychology and adaptation was first published in German in 1939. David Rapaport’s English translation appeared in 1958.
Book details
Author of listed edition: Heinz Hartmann
Edition: 1958 English translation by David Rapaport
Publisher: International Universities Press
Edition year: 1958
First published: 1939
Original title: Ich-Psychologie und Anpassungsproblem
Language and origin: English (United States)
Form and genre: Clinical & Theoretical Monograph
Level: Advanced
Historical era: 1920–1939 · Ego Psychology & Early Child Analysis
Covers: Conflict-free ego sphere; Primary and secondary autonomy; Average expectable environment; Alloplastic vs. autoplastic adaptation
APA 7th reference: Hartmann, H. (1958). Ego psychology and the problem of adaptation (D. Rapaport, Trans.). International Universities Press. (Original work published 1939)
What it is
The work was first published in German in 1939 in Internationale Zeitschrift für Psychoanalyse und Imago. The English edition listed here was translated by David Rapaport and published in New York by International Universities Press in 1958.
What it covers
Hartmann discussed ego functions and adaptation within psychoanalytic theory. His account of a relatively conflict-free sphere and an average expectable environment should be understood as a theoretical framework, rather than a demonstrated account of every person’s development.
Historical context
A contemporary review of the English translation places the original presentation in 1937 and the German journal publication in 1939. The reviewer discusses the work as an early contribution to ego psychology.
Limits of this entry
The library catalogue and a contemporary review were consulted. The complete work was not reviewed, and this entry does not establish the effectiveness of a treatment.
Source-mapped claims and evidence notes
Claim 1: David Rapaport’s English translation was published in New York in 1958 by International Universities Press. (The catalogue identifies the translation and its 1939 German journal original. The full text was not reviewed.) [Source 1: Wellcome Collection. Ego psychology and the problem of adaptation, catalogue record.]
Sources and inspection notes
Wellcome Collection. Ego psychology and the problem of adaptation, catalogue record.
Supports: Catalogue identifies the 1958 Rapaport translation, International Universities Press and the 1939 German journal publication.
Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry. Ego psychology and the problem of adaptation, review (1959).
Supports: Contemporary review describes the 1937 presentation, 1939 journal publication and 1958 English translation. The complete book was not reviewed.