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    Franco_Object Relations Theory

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    Franco_Object Relations Theory

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    2 views23 pages

    Franco_Object Relations Theory

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    Isabela State University

    Object Relations Theory


    A Deep Dive into
    Melanie Klein's Contributions

    Theories of Personality
    “The heart of a woman is
    an ocean of secrets.”
    — Unknown
    Learning Objectives
    1. Understand the core concepts of Melanie
    Klein's Object Relations Theory, including
    the Paranoid-Schizoid and Depressive
    Positions.
    2. Reflect on the role of early anxiety in child
    development and appreciate the
    significance of play therapy in accessing the
    unconscious.
    3.Presenttheapplicationofplaytherapy techniques through p
    Bio Sketch
    Name: Melanie Reizes
    Place of Birth: Vienna, Austria
    Birthday: March 30, 1882
    Spouse: Arthur Klein
    No. of Years Married: 12
    Children: Melitta (1904), Hans
    (1907), Erich (1914).
    Death: September 22, 1960.
    Personal Struggles
    1. She experienced early
    depression, worsened by an
    unhappy marriage.
    2. The death of her son, Hans, in
    1934, deeply affected her
    psychological state.
    3. These personal tragedies
    influenced her psychoanalytic
    work on loss, grief and anxiety.
    Elements of Freud’s work that
    influenced Klein
    Elements Freud’s Concepts Klein’s Ideas
    Unconscious repressed memories, unconscious fantasies and
    Mind desires, and emotions internal conflicts
    Psychoanalytic free association and play therapy
    Techniques dream analysis
    Theory of the life instinct (Eros) and aggression (part of the
    Drives the death instinct death instinct)
    (Thanatos)
    Oedipus attraction of the child to early relationships with
    Complex the parent of the opposite the mother were critical in
    sex forming the child's internal
    world
    Phantasy
    These unconscious phantasies are shaped by
    the infant's instincts and experiences and
    involve internal representations of objects
    (e.g., caregivers) as well as bodily sensations
    and drives (such as hunger, comfort, and
    aggression).
    Disagreement with Anna Freud
    Klein and Anna Freud disagreed on the use of free association in child analysis

    Klein believed play therapy Anna Freud believed


    could access children’s children’s egos were too
    unconscious, similar to free underdeveloped for free
    association in adults. association.
    Their dispute became central to the so-called 'Controversial Discussions'
    in the British Psychoanalytic Society during the 1940s.
    Klein’s Key Concepts
    1. Object Relations Theory: Internalization of early re

    2. Paranoid-Schizoid Position: Splitting objects into 'g

    3. Depressive Position: Integration of good and bad a


    Object Relations Theory
    This theory is a psychoanalytic approach that
    emphasizes the importance of early relationships,
    particularly with primary caregivers (often referred to
    as “objects”), in shaping an individual’s psychological
    development. This theory focuses on how these
    relationships are internalized and later affect a
    person's interpersonal behavior, emotional life, and
    sense of self.
    Object Relations Theory

    Early Development
    Relationships Internalization
    of Self and Later Impact
    Process
    Others

    • Caregiver Bond
    • Absorption of • Self-Perception • Behavioral
    • Emotional Experiences Patterns
    Interactions • Relating
    • Formation of to Others • Psychological
    “Objects Health
    Paranoid-Schizoid Position
    Paranoia reflects the fear of persecution
    from bad objects.

    Schizoid involves seeing the world and


    relationships in fragmented, polarized ways.
    Paranoid-Schizoid Position
    Extreme
    Thinking

    Splitting

    Projection
    Integration
    Depressive Position
    The Depressive Position marks an important
    step in emotional maturity, where the child
    begins to reconcile their aggressive and
    loving feelings and develop a more realistic
    and empathetic approach to relationships.
    Depressive Position
    Integration: Seeing People as Whole

    Guilt: Feeling Concern

    Reparation: Wanting to Repair

    Ambivalence: Emotional Balance

    Emotional Maturity
    Evaluative Comments
    Strengths: Limitations:
    1. In-depth exploration 1. Overemphasis on early
    of early childhood experiences and
    experiences. mother- child
    2. Foundation for modern relationships.
    psychodynamic 2. Lack of empirical evidence
    therapies. for some aspects of
    theory.
    3.Use of play therapy for child 3.Subjectivity in play therapy
    psychological treatment. interpretations.
    Summary
    Object relations theory
    emphasizes the importance of
    exploring a person’s inner world
    and relational dynamics,
    fostering self-awareness and
    emotional insight.
    Assessment Techniques
    1. Play Therapy: Accessing the unconscious
    through play.
    2. Free Play Technique: Interpreting children's
    actions in play.
    3. Interpretation of Symbols: Decoding
    unconscious through play symbolism.
    Play Therapy
    Types of Play Therapy:
    Directive Play Therapy: The
    therapist provides specific
    activities or toys that are designed
    to address particular problems.
    Non-Directive Play Therapy: The
    child is free to choose how to play,
    with minimal intervention from
    the therapist.

    Example: A child who has experienced trauma might repeatedly play out scenes
    involving conflict or danger, like a battle between action figures or a house
    catching fire. Through this play, the therapist can observe recurring themes that
    might reflect the child’s internal struggles or fears, helping to access repressed
    emotions or traumatic memories.
    Free Play Technique

    Example: In a therapy session, a child is given a sandbox,


    figurines, and other toys to engage in free play.
    Interpretation of Symbols

    Here is the image of a child playing with a doll, acting


    out scenarios of abandonment or hurt, while the
    therapist observes.
    Implications for Therapy

    1. Focus on early relationships (childhood


    development)
    2. Uncovering unconscious phantasies
    (identifying deep-rooted issues)
    3. Working through splitting (from fragmented
    to integrated self-concepts)
    References
    Bott Spillius, E. (1988). Melanie Klein Today: Developments in Theory
    and Practice (Vol. 1: Mainly Theory). Routledge.
    Grosskurth, P. (1986). Melanie Klein: Her World and Her Work. Harvard
    University Press.
    Hinshelwood, R. D. (1991). A Dictionary of Kleinian Thought (2nd ed.).
    Free Association Books.
    King, P., & Steiner, R. (1991). The Freud-Klein Controversies 1941-45.
    Routledge.
    Segal, H. (1979). Klein. Karnac Books.
    Likierman, M. (2001). Melanie Klein: Her Work in Context. Continuum
    International Publishing.
    Mitchell, S. A., & Black, M. J. (1995). Freud and Beyond: A History of
    Modern Psychoanalytic Thought. Basic Books.

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