Melanie Klein\'s Object Relation Theory PDF

Preview

Summary

A class note about Theories of Personality, perfect for 1st and 2nd year college students....

Description

Is Object Relations Theory relevant today? What concepts or elements in this theory can help explain human personality and mental disorders? ANSWEER: Object Relations Theory, founded by Melanie Klein, is developed from Freud's psychodynamic theory. It discusses the effect of the internalized relations with primary caretakers during infancy, and their unconscious influence on the nature of future relationships. In this theory, children do not only internalize the object itself, but also the entire relationship. The infant internalizes two sets of object relations– both positive and negative– which include representations of the self, the object, and the emotion that links between the two. These object relations are seen as the building blocks organizing people's internal life, including their motivations and behavior. Some of the most important concepts in this theory are Unconscious Phantasy, Paranoid-schizoid position and the Depressive position. Unconscious phantasies serve as the basis for all future mental mechanisms. It is how infants processed their anxieties around feeding and relating to others as objects and part-objects. The Paranoid-Schizoid position refers to the first four to six months of life. A newborn attempts to relate to the world through part-objects – thus the object ‘mother’ becomes a part-object ‘breast’. At this stage, the baby in his phantasy splits the mother’s breast into the good breast that feeds and nourishes, and the bad breast that withholds and persecutes the baby. All bad is projected outwards, coupled with drives to destroy the bad, causes paranoia that the bad will return to seek revenge. Negativity is internalized in order to gain control of it that causes to cope with this paranoia. Good is projected unto the mother so that she could protect the infant. This is called projection and introjection. It take place until an infant understand that the good and bad are one. In the Depressive Position, a child begins to view inner and outer reality more accurately. There will be less need for splitting, introjection and projection. Part-objects are now viewed as whole people, who have their own relationships and feelings. Absence is experienced as a loss and the baby feels grief instead of anger. Although Object Relations Theory and its concepts sound strange in the present time, it is still relevant. This theory is the most important psychodynamic frameworks in explaining personality development and dynamics. In addition, we all go through infancy. We have unique experiences. Human personality and mental disorders are develop with different causes and instances. One possible reason for this rooted to our early experiences. Sometimes, we may not be aware of it, but it is evident in our actions. This theory mainly focus our on experiences from our closest relationships to subconsciously form ideas and standards. Earliest interactions as a child play a large part in how we view our current relationships. If you struggle on the present time, it may be linked to the way you viewed relationships as a child. While you most likely don't even know

that you are doing it, you are projecting object relations from your past onto the people with you are involved today. This can lead to unhealthy adult relationships and negative patterns. From this theory, Kleinian therapy was developed. Its goal is to reduce depressive anxieties and fears and lessen the harshness of internalized objects. In addition, it can help improve current relationships by addressing unhealthy patterns from the past. With the help of a therapist, we are able to be aware of our past in order to overcome our current challenges....