Background

Jacob A. Arlow was born on September 3, 1912, in New York, United States. He was the son of Adolph A. and Ida (Feldman) Arlow.

Education

Jacob A. Arlow studied psychology and psychoanalysis at New York University and Psychoanalytic institutes and societies in the United State.

Career

Throughout his career, Jacob A. Arlow worked as a resident psychiatrist, neuropsychiatrist, consultant psychiatrist, clinical professor in hospitals and medical centers in New York City. Moreover, he was a lecturer, visiting scholar, and professor in American Universities.

Jacob A. Arlow was an editor of the Psychoanalytic Quarterly from 1972 to 1979; and published several articles on psychoanalysis, as well as writing a history of psychoanalytic history, and co-authoring with Charles Brenner the influential text Psychoanalytic Concepts and the Structural Theory.

Works

• book

  • Legacy of Sigmund Freud
  • Psychoanalytic Concepts and the Structural Theory 1964
  • Psychoanalysis: Clinical Theory and Practice

Views

Jacob A. Arlow explored the role of unconscious fantasy from the point of view of ego psychology, both subsuming its use in Kleinian theory, and providing the building block for Brenner's later development of conflict theory.

His earlier article on 'Fantasy Systems in Twins' (1960) was used by Maynard Solomon to illuminate the inner development of Beethoven, Arlow observing that the "bond of complete understanding which is missing with the parent unites the twins in the wish fantasy...The existence of another individual who is a reflection of the self brings the experience of twinship in line with the psychology of the double".

He also explored the role of myth in bridging the gap between individual instinctual conflicts and cultural ideals.

Membership

• 

  American Medical Association , United States

• 

  American Psychiatric Association , United States

• 

  American Psychoanalytic Association , United States

  1960 - 1966

• 

  American Psychosomatic Society , United States

• 

  president

  New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute , United States

  1966 - 1968

• 

  treasurer, vice president

  International Psychoanalytical Association

  1961 - 1969

Connections

Married Alice Diamond in October 31, 1936. Had 3 children: Michael Saul, Allan Joseph, Seth Martin.

Father:

Adolph A. Arlow

Mother:

Ida (Feldman) Arlow

Spouse:

Alice Diamond

d. 2003

child:

Allan Joseph Arlow

child:

Seth Martin Arlow

child:

Michael Saul Arlow