Object relations theory is a psychological model that accounts for personality development in early childhood. Its main focus is on the importance of people’s relationships with others, especially their parents, as they grow up and develop. Object relations theorists believe there are three major factors that influence this.
What is object object relations theory in psychology?
Object relations theoryis that branch of psychodynamic thought that focuses on relationships being more crucial to personality development than are individual drives and abilities (see Greenberg and Mitchell 1983). Here, the important identity-preceding structure is theself, a personality structure formed out of interpersonal interactions.
What is the object relational perspective?
2.2Object Relational Perspective Object relations theoryis that branch of psychodynamic thought that focuses on relationships being more crucial to personality development than are individual drives and abilities (see Greenberg and Mitchell 1983).
What is Klein's object relations theory?
Since Klein's theory focuses on connections between people and situations, the goal of object relations therapy is to help a person uncover early life experiences that may contribute to their current relationships.
What are the internal images of object relations theory?
The internal images have enduring qualities and serve as templates for future relationships. Central to object relations theory is the notion of splitting, which can be described as the mental separation of objects into "good" and "bad" parts and the subsequent repression of the "bad," or anxiety-provoking, aspects.
What is the main focus of object relations theory?
Object relations theory is that branch of psychodynamic thought that focuses on relationships being more crucial to personality development than are individual drives and abilities (see Greenberg and Mitchell 1983).
What is object relations theory example?
For example, an infant might think: "My mother is good because she feeds me when I am hungry" (representation of the object). "The fact that she takes care of me must mean that I am good" (representation of the self in relation to the object).
What are the major constructs concepts of Klein's theory?
Klein's theory emphasized the idea of objects, which are related to human contact during infancy. The most important objects to a child are the mother and the mother's breast. According to Klein, infants are born with an unconscious fantasy life.
What is object relations theory Melanie Klein?
Klein's (1921) theory of the unconscious focused on the relationship between the mother–infant rather than the father–infant one, and inspired the central concepts of the Object Relations School within psychoanalysis. Klein stressed the importance of the first 4 or 6 months after birth.
How would object relations theory explains personality?
According to object relations theory, beginning during infancy, people develop "internal representations" of themselves and of other people. Representations of the self ultimately give rise to what is popularly known as the "self-concept." Similar representations form as a means of organizing knowledge of other people.
What are the four stages of object relations theory?
The separation-individuation process proper is broken down into four sub-phases: differentiation, practicing, rapprochement, and on the road to object constancy.
What is the overarching principle of object relations theory?
What is the overarching principle of object relations theory? We relate to others through our mental images of them. The object relations theorist Melanie Klein suggests that important love relationships are mixed with emotions such as envy, fear, and guilt.
Who created object relations theory?
Sigmund Freud developed the concept object relation to describe or emphasize that bodily drives satisfy their need through a medium, an object, on a specific focus.
What is object relations theory quizlet?
Object Relations Theory. Focuses on the reciprocal relationship between a Mother and her infant and its effect on the infants development of sense of self. Object Relations concepts. refers to the way a child's Ego becomes organized over the first 3 1/2 years of life.
How is object relations theory conceptually different from that of Freud?
Object relations theory differs from Freudian theory in three important ways: (1) it places more emphasis on interpersonal relationships, (2) it stresses the infant's relationship with the mother rather than the father, and (3) it suggests that people are motivated primarily for human contact rather than for sexual ...
What is the difference between object relations theory and attachment theory?
Attachment theory, theoretically and practically, emphasizes the study of attachment concerning personal development, while object relations theory underlines the importance of the relationship children build with their primary caregiver in line with its self-developmental effects.
What did Melanie Klein contribute to psychology?
Klein was the first psychologist to view children's play as a meaningful activity and her “play technique” later contributed to the development of play therapy.
What is object relations theory quizlet?
Object Relations Theory. Focuses on the reciprocal relationship between a Mother and her infant and its effect on the infants development of sense of self. Object Relations concepts. refers to the way a child's Ego becomes organized over the first 3 1/2 years of life.
What is the difference between attachment theory and object relations theory?
Attachment theory, theoretically and practically, emphasizes the study of attachment concerning personal development, while object relations theory underlines the importance of the relationship children build with their primary caregiver in line with its self-developmental effects.
Is object relations the same as attachment?
Even though a considerable overlap between attachment and object relations constructs is expected on theoretical grounds, these might not be identical constructs, since attachment conceptualizations grasp the early basic patterns of interpersonal relationships and affect regulation, while object representations relate ...
What does Freud mean by object?
The notion of an object originates in Freud's discussion of the drives, where 'object' is defined as that which allows a drive to achieve its aim. The sexual object of a drive may, for instance, be a person; its aim, or the act towards which the drive tends, may be sexual intercourse with that person.
What is object relations theory?
Object relations theory is centered on our internal relationships with others. According to this theory, our lifelong relationship skills are strongly rooted in our early attachments with our parents, especially our mothers.
What is an external object?
External and Internal Objects. An external object is an actual person or thing that someone invests in with emotional energy. A whole object is a person as she actually exists, with all of the positive and negative traits that she embodies.
What are the three things that a child experiences in relationship to the mother and father?
Father, mother, and infant, all three living together: The dynamics and interactions that the child experiences in relationship to the mother and father influence the child's experience and expectations of what family relationships will be like later in life. Holding: Actual physical affection and holding including cuddling, holding hands, ...
When do infants learn object constancy?
Infants begin to learn object constancy when their parents leave for a short time and then return. As children mature, they begin to spend longer periods of time away from their parents. Separation anxiety and fear of abandonment are common in people who have not successfully developed a sense of object constancy.
What was the conflict between Klein and object relations theory?
Within the London psychoanalytic community, a conflict of loyalties took place between Klein and object relations theory (sometimes referred to as "id psychology"), and Anna Freud and ego psychology. In America, Anna Freud heavily influenced American psychoanalysis in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
Who wrote the object relation theory of personality?
Fairbairn, W. R. D. (1952). An Object-Relations Theory of the Personality. New York: Basic Books.
What is the effect of introjection on object relations?
The effect of introjection on object relations is equally important. The introjection of the good object, first of all the mother’s breast, is a precondition for normal development . . . It comes to form a focal point in the ego and makes for cohesiveness of the ego. . . .
What is Kleinian theory?
The positions of Kleinian theory, underlain by unconscious phantasy, are stages in the normal development of ego and object relationships, each with its own characteristic defenses and organizational structure.
How did Fairbairn use the concept of splitting as a defense?
Fairbairn's "moral defense" is the tendency seen in survivors of abuse to take all the bad upon themselves, each believing he is morally bad so his caretaker object can be regarded as good. This is a use of splitting as a defense to maintain an attachment relationship in an unsafe world. Fairbairn introduced a four-year-old girl with a broken arm to a doctor friend of his. He told the little girl that they were going to find her a new mommy. "Oh no!" the girl cried. "I want my real mommy." "You mean the mommy that broke your arm?" Fairbairn asked. "I was bad," the girl replied. She needed to believe that her love object (mother) was all good, so that she could believe she would one day receive the love and nurturing she needed. If she accepted her mother was bad, then she would be bereft and alone in the world, an intolerable state. She used the Moral Defense to make herself bad, but preserve her mother's goodness.
What are the first objects in a person?
The first "object" in someone is usually an internalized image of one's mother. Internal objects are formed by the patterns in one's experience of being taken care of as a baby, which may or may not be accurate representations of the actual, external caretakers. Objects are usually internalized images of one's mother, father, or primary caregiver, although they could also consist of parts of a person such as an infant relating to the breast or things in one's inner world (one's internalized image of others). Later experiences can reshape these early patterns, but objects often continue to exert a strong influence throughout life. Objects are initially comprehended in the infant mind by their functions and are termed part objects. The breast that feeds the hungry infant is the "good breast", while a hungry infant that finds no breast is in relation to the "bad breast". With a "good enough" facilitating environment, part object functions eventually transform into a comprehension of whole objects. This corresponds with the ability to tolerate ambiguity, to see that both the "good" and the "bad" breast are a part of the same mother figure.
When does the child's central ego relate to the Ideal object?
The child's central ego relates to the Ideal object when the parent is supportive and nurturant.
What Are Object Relations?
Object relations is a theory that people have about how they relate to the things around them. It’s based on your own memories and experiences. If you have a good memory of your childhood blanket, you might feel attached to or drawn to blankets when you are an adult.
Conclusion
Object relations psychology explores how our early relationships with objects affect our adult lives. It can be used in psychotherapy when patients try to understand themselves better by exploring why they relate things back to specific times from their pasts.
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What is Object Relations Theory?
Object relations theory, like many theories in psychology, has evolved and been adapted by many psychologists over the years. For simplicity and looking at this theory in the larger world of psychoanalysis, we will be focusing strictly on the work of two psychologists known for their ideas on Object Relations Theory: Melanie Klein and Donald Winnicott.
When good and bad can be applied to the same person, what does Klein and Freud believe?
When “good” and “bad” or “love” and “hate” can be applied to the same person, Klein (and Freud) believes that the child enters a state of ambivalence. Until they reach that state, however, the child (or adult) may have some destructive tendencies or display different signs of anxiety.
What is object relations?
The theory describes the process of developing a mind as one grows in relation to others in the environment. The “objects” of the theory are both real others in one’s world, and one’s internalized image of others. Object relationships are initially formed during early interactions with primary care givers. These early patterns can be altered with experience, but often continue to exert a strong influence throughout life.
Who coined the term "object relations"?
While Fairbairn coined the term “object relations,” Melanie Klein’ s work tends to be most commonly identified with the terms “object relations theory” and “British object relations,” at least in contemporary North America, though the influence of ‘what is known as the British independent perspective, which argued that the primary motivation of the child is object seeking rather than drive gratification’ is becoming increasingly recognized.
What does Klein say about splitting the object?
Klein notes that in splitting the object, the ego is also split.:6 The infant who phantasies destruction of the bad breast is not the same infant that takes in the good breast, at least not until obtaining the depressive position, at which point good and bad can be tolerated simultaneously in the same person and the capacity for remorse and reparation ensue.
What are the positions of Kleinian theory?
The positions of Kleinian theory, underlain by unconscious phantasy, are stages in the normal development of ego and object relationships, each with its own characteristic defenses and organizational structure. The paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions occur in the pre-oedipal, oral phase of development.
How are internal objects formed?
Internal objects are formed by the patterns emerging in one’s repeated subjective experience of the care taking environment. These internalized images may or may not be accurate representations of the actual, external others. With a “good enough” “facilitating environment” part object functions eventually transform into a comprehension of whole objects. This corresponds with the ability to tolerate ambiguity, to see that both the “good” and the “bad” breast are a part of the same “mummy.”
What was the conflict between Anna Freud and Melanie Klein?
Within the London psychoanalytic community, a conflict of loyalties took place between Klein and object relations theory (sometimes referred to as “id psychology”) , and Anna Freud and ego psychology. In America, Anna Freud dominated American psychoanalysis in 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. American ego psychology was furthered in the works of Hartmann, Kris, Loewenstein, Rapaport, Erikson, Jacobson, and Mahler. In London, those who refused to choose sides were termed the “middle school,” whose members included Michael Balint and Winnicott. The strong animosity in England between the school of Anna Freud and that of Melanie Klein was transplanted to the US, where the Anna Freud group dominated totally until the 1970s. Until the 1970s, few American psychoanalysts were influenced by the thinking of Melanie Klein.
Why is object relations important?
Object relations theorists stress the importance of early family interactions, primarily the mother-infant relationship, in personality development. It is believed that infants form mental representations of themselves in relation to others and that these internal images significantly influence interpersonal relationships later in life. Since relationships are at the center of object relations theory, the person-therapist alliance is important to the success of therapy.
What is an object relation?
The term “object relations” refers to the dynamic internalized relationships between the self and significant others (objects). An object relation involves mental representations of: For example, an infant might think: "My mother is good because she feeds me when I am hungry" (representation of the object).
Who Practices Object Relations?
Psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, and social workers may earn certification in object relations therapy from one of several training institutions across the country. For example, the International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI), formerly the International Institute of Object Relations Theory, offers a two-year certificate program in Object Relations Theory and Practice for professionals involved in the mental health field. The Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis offers a one-year introductory certificate program in object relations theory and clinical technique, as well as a more advanced two-year program. The Ottawa Institute for Object Relations Therapy also certifies psychotherapists in Object Relations Therapy.
What can a therapist do to help people with childhood object relations?
A therapist can help people in therapy understand how childhood object relations impact current emotions, motivations, and relationships and contribute to any problems being faced.
Why do people engage in object relations therapy?
Once critical symptoms are dealt with, however, an individual may choose to engage in object relations therapy to determine how past relationships with significant others might contribute to present concerns.
What is the relationship between self and object?
For example, an infant might think: "My mother is good because she feeds me when I am hungry" (representation of the object). "The fact that she takes care of me must mean that I am good" (representation of the self in relation to the object).
Who are the three main authors of object relations?
Object relations theory is composed of the diverse and sometimes conflicting ideas of various theorists, mainly Melanie Klein, Ronald Fairbairn, and Donald Winnicott . Each of their theories place great emphasis on the mother-infant bond as a key factor in the development of a child’s psychic structure during the first three years of life.
Which theory of unconscious phantasy is linked to the conceptualisation of internal objects?
The conceptualisation of internal objects is linked to Klein’s theory of unconscious phantasy, and development from the paranoid-schizoid position to the depressive position
What is Klein's theory of the unconscious?
Klein’s (1921) theory of the unconscious focused on the relationship between the mother–infant rather than the father–infant one, and inspired the central concepts of the Object Relations School within psychoanalysis. Klein stressed the importance of the first 4 or 6 months after birth.
What is the theory of unconscious phantasy?
Developing a Theory of Unconscious Phantasy. Klein’s (1923) theory of the unconscious is based in the phantasy life of the infant from birth. Her ideas elucidated how infants processed their anxieties around feeding and relating to others as objects and part-objects.
Why was Klein rejected?
Psychoanalyst Jaqueline Rose (1993) has noted that, especially in the USA, Klein’s work has been rejected because of her violence and negativity. Klein herself wrote: ‘My method presupposes that I have been from the beginning willing to attract to myself the negative as well as the positive transference’.
What is the meaning of the phrase "the ego is incapable of splitting the object"?
Klein wrote that ‘The Ego is incapable of splitting the object – internal and external – without a corresponding splitting taking place within the Ego...
The Fundamentals of Object Relations Theory
- In object relations theory, therapists help people identify patterns in their lives that may be impacting their relationships with others. Therapists refer to significant others in a person’s life, particularly a person’s primary caregiver (mother, father, etc.) as the object in object relations theory. The focus of this kind of treatment centers a...
The Goal of Object Relations Therapy
- The key to object relations therapy is to help a person begin to develop insight into problematic patterns in their interpersonal life, and to help them better understand these issues and how to improve them. Helping shed light onto how very early attachment related concepts may have impacted their ability to function in their current relationships can help a person understand the…
Conditions Treated with Object Relations
- Object relations is a psychological theory that deals with helping a person safely uncover deeply repressed psychological patterns, which can be difficult for many people to be motivated to do, or to tolerate. This type of therapy has been successful in the treatment of addictions, personality disorders, and other cases where a person may be craving insight into how their past is shaping …
Final Thoughts
- If you are someone who with patterns of feeling stuck in your relationships or has a history of highly conflictual relationships, mood swings, and addiction-related symptoms, a psychoanalytic approach like object relations could help you uncover some of the deep messages you have about yourself and others. These messages could then be changed to improve these parts of your life. …
Overview
Object relations theory in psychoanalytic psychology is the process of developing a psyche in relation to others in the childhood environment. It designates theories or aspects of theories that are concerned with the exploration of relationships between real and external people as well as internal images and the relations found in them. It maintains that the infant's relationship with the …
Theory
While object relations theory is based on psychodynamic theory, object relations theory places less emphasis on the role of biological drives in the formation of adult personality. The theory suggests that the way people relate to others and situations in their adult lives is shaped by family experiences during infancy. For example, an adult who experienced neglect or abuse in infancy would expect similar behavior from others who remind them of the neglectful or abusive parent …
History
The initial line of thought emerged in 1917 with Ferenczi and, early in the 1930s, Sullivan, coiner of the term "interpersonal". British psychologists Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott, Harry Guntrip, Scott Stuart, and others extended object relations theory during the 1940s and 1950s. Ronald Fairbairn in 1952 independently formulated his theory of object relations.
The term has been used in many different contexts, which led to different connotations and den…
Kleinian object relations theory
Klein termed the psychological aspect of instinct unconscious phantasy (deliberately spelled with 'ph' to distinguish it from the word 'fantasy'). Phantasy is a given of psychic life which moves outward towards the world. These image-potentials are given a priority with the drives and eventually allow the development of more complex states of mental life. Unconscious phantasy in the infant's emerging mental life is modified by the environment as the infant has contact with re…
Ronald Fairbairn's model of object relations theory
Fairbairn was impressed with the work of Klein, particularly in her emphasis on internalized objects, but he objected to the notion that internalization of external objects was based on death instinct. The death instinct is a remnant of the Freudian model that was emphasized in Klein's model, and her model assumes that human behavior is motivated by a struggle between the instinctual forces of love and hate. Klein believed that each human being was born with a inborn …
Continuing developments in the theory
Attachment theory, researched by John Bowlby and others, has continued to deepen our understanding of early object relationships. While a different strain of psychoanalytic theory and research, the findings in attachment studies have continued to support the validity of the developmental progressions described in object relations. Recent decades in developmental psychological research, for example on the onset of a "theory of mind" in children, has suggeste…
See also
• Attachment theory
• Bizarre object
• Defense mechanisms
• Egocentrism
• Family therapy
Further reading
• Fairbairn, W. R. D. (1952). An Object-Relations Theory of the Personality. New York: Basic Books.
• Gomez, L. (1997). An Introduction to Object Relations Theory. London: Free Association Press. ISBN 1-85343-347-0
• Masterson, James F. (1988). The Search for the Real Self. ISBN 0-02-920291-4