Psychodynamic: Object Relations

Question 1

Main object relations theorists

Answer 1

Klein, Fairbairn, Mahler, Kernberg

Question 2

OR themes

Answer 2

• Object-seeking (relationships with others) is an inborn drive
• emphasizes early childhood rlnsps with objects, especially child’s internalized reps of objects and object relations that become part of the self and influence behavior.

Question 3

Separation-individuation

Answer 3

• Emphasized by Mahler as the actual time when the devel of object relations occurs. from about 5 mo to 3 years.
• differentiating, practicing, reapproachement, and object constancy.
• Results in psychopathology

Question 4

OR view of maladaptive behavior

Answer 4

Abnormalities in early object relations.
Separation-individuation
Inadequate resolution of splitting self and others into good and bad

Question 5

OR therapy goals and techniques

Answer 5

• provide patient with support, acceptance, and other conditions that restore the client’s ability to relate to others in meaningful, realistic ways.
• bring maladaptive unconscious rlnsp dynamics into conscious so that dysfunctional interanalized object representations can be replaced with more appropriate ones
• Focus on defense mechanisms. splitting and projective identification