In this volume, Michael Balint, who over the years made a sustained and brilliant contribution to the theory and technique of psychoanalysis, develops the concept of the 'basic fault' in the bio-psychology structure of every individual, involving in

Michael Balint, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc., who died in 1971, was a psychoanalyst of international reputation, whose originality expressed itself both in clinical practice and in teaching. His involvement with the development of psychoanalytic theory and practice was paralleled by a concern with stimulating understanding of psychodynamic principles among other professional groups, particularly general practitioners. His varied and prolific writings attest to these aims.

Contents: Preface to the 1979 Reprint by Enid Balint. Preface. Part I. The Three Areas of the Mind. Part II. Primary Narcissiscm and Primary Love. Part III. The Gulf and the Analyst's Responses to it. Part IV. The benign and the Malignant Forms of Regression. Part V. The Regressed Patient and His Analyst. Bibliography. Special Bibliography on Oral Dependence and Related States. Index.