Object Relations
Object Relations was Developed by: Melanie Klein, Fairbairn, Anna Freud, Micheal Balint, Donald Winnicott
Overview of Object Relations: “Object relations theory is a modern adaptation of psychoanalytic theory that places less emphasis on the drives of aggression and sexuality as motivational forces and more emphasis on human relationships as the primary motivational force in life. Object relations theorists believe that we are relationship seeking rather than pleasure seeking as Freud suggested. The importance of relationships in the theory translates to relationships as the main focus of psychotherapy, especially the relationship with the therapist.” ~ Excerpt from Object Relations.org
“Object Relations is a theory of the human personality developed from the study of the therapist-patient relationship as it reflects the mother-infant dyad. The theory holds that the infant's experience in relationship with the mother, or primary caregiver, is the primary determinant of personality formation and that the infant's need for attachment is the motivating factor in the development of the infantile self. It is an amalgam of the work of British analysts Ronald Fairbairn, Donald Winnicott, and others of the British Independent group, augmented by that of Melanie Klein and the Kleinian group. Both the Independent and the Kleinian groups have developed theories of personality formation and psychic structure different from Freud's, and different from each other. The Independent group, for example, disagreed with Freud's views about the nature and power of the instincts, while the Kleinian group stayed true to Freud's view of instincts but disagreed about the role of unconscious fantasy in the infant's regulation of instinctual tension. Nevertheless, they can be integrated because of their commonality in focus on the first three years of life and their emphasis on the experience of the mother-infant relationship as a major component of psychic structure formation.” ~ Excerpt from the Salt Lake City Chapter of the International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI SLC)
Resources Related to Object Relations:
The Institute for Expressive Analysis - The Institute for Expressive Analysis offers training in psychoanalysis with an emphasis on the integration of creative processes, and offers low cost psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.
Institute on Family Therapy with Adolescents
The Salt Lake City Chapter of the International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI SLC)
Object Relations.org
Object Relations
Wikipedia's Page about Object Relations
Books Related to Object Relations:
Please add your comments about Object Relations - (click here to add a comment)
This is an excellent, concise description of the onset and dynamics of eating disorders. Something useful to share with patients.
Hi Peg, Thanks very much for your lovely comment. I'm glad you found this useful. Take care, Lynn
Cutting Ties With Parents (1 Letter) NY Times p. 40 October 27 To the Editor: Re “When Parents Are Too Toxic to Tolerate” (Mind, Oct. 20): Parentectomy — that’s the word we used when I worked for child welfare services in New York City. Some parents mean to harm their kids, and in those rare instances, the children would be made healthier by lopping off the relationship as though it were a diseased body part, like an infected appendix. Children are powerless, but when grown up they are able to get rid of the parents who continue doing harm by ending the relationship. Sometimes bad parents are worse than no parents. Lynn Somerstein
Awesome perspective and great ideas for coping with a sometimes joyful yet stressful holiday. It is always a challenge when so many personalities come together - each with their own expectations of what the day should offer.
Thanks for reading and commenting- holidays can be a challenge; toys and secret weapons can help.;)