The theory of object relations has been actively developed over the past few decades. Many prominent figures in the field of theoretical psychiatry have made efforts to advance science in this field. Some believe that the concept of this kind of relationship was laid down for a very long time, but in fact his first postulates were expressed by Anna Freud, who considered means of instinctual satisfaction. To date, this topic has been studied from different angles, and in recent years, fundamentally new approaches have been formed. Let's consider them in more detail.
How it all began
Anna Freud, who laid the foundations of the theory of object relations, focused on the manifestation of a person’s attraction. This well-known psychoanalyst did not actually separate relationships and drives. A special emphasis in her works is placed on the Oedipus complex. Freud acknowledged that the nature of the relationship preceding the formation of this complex was not clear enough for her.
Currently, the theory of object relations has found many new adherents involved in this field. Along with the positive aspects of advancement, the progress of ideas, the scientific community has encountered certain difficulties. A kind of chaos reigned, as different figures resorted to different terms and put different meanings in similar words. In order to somewhat stabilize and systematize what is happening, it was decided to identify key authors and identify which works are most important for this theory. Studying their works, you can understand how relationships are developing.
How are things today?
Nowadays, the theory of object relations is represented by three key branches. Accordingly, there are three basic definitions of this kind of relationship. All theories consider the influence of external, internal object representatives on the formation of a person’s self. Freud implicitly noted in her writings that the psychic apparatus of personality is structured due to fantasies, conflicts in which objects appear: oral, oedipal, anal. The theory of relations is devoted to the internalization of information obtained in relationships available from a young age. Experience affects a person by structuring it. Each of the stages of personality formation is accompanied by certain typical conflicts, their stages. The theory considers not only them, but the reactualization of relations, due to the transfer and the opposite process, occurring in the relationship of objects.
The theory of object relations Melanie Klein proposes to interpret the phenomenon as concentrated on the influence of internalized relations for the formation of a personality structure. The followers of this idea are called Kleinians. The theory that they adhere to is determined by the modern concept of the "I". Such people adhere to the ideas of developmental psychology. This is an independent group of specialists in the field of psychoanalysis. Representatives of this class of psychoanalysts require an adequate assessment of the significance of unconscious fantasizing of a person. The model they are promoting is focused on improving, structuring the internal object. Psychology "I" is occupied by psychotherapists, but mainly in aspects of personality attraction.
Thought development
The theory of object relations Melanie Klein was promoted in the ideas of Kernberg, who interpreted the main provisions of the approach, taking into account the views of the psychologist who deals with "I". In many ways, his works are based on the works of Jacobson, who saw the light in the 64th, 71st, as well as Mahler, who published his work in the 75th. Kernberg tried to combine the basic calculations of all these approaches. As this scientist considered, the libidinal stages of progress, aggressive steps are determined by the internalized relations of objects. Timely, maximum fast impulse neutralization creates the foundation for an adequate combination of objects, representatives of the personality.
Kernberg’s theory of object relations is determined by Freud’s sayings - they were used by the author as fundamental. The scientist adhered to the postulates of the dual idea of ​​attraction, analyzed a high-level motivation system, regarding affects as organizing elements. At some points, he entered into a confrontation with the founder of the theory, as he considered affects to be the key elements of the psyche, while Freud had such attractions. Affects Kernberg called the components of the structure, serving as the basis for a comprehensive drive and the formation of a highly organized motivation system. At Kernberg, the conflict within the psyche is formed both by means of preventing attraction, and by differences in representatives. One unit, formed by representatives of the self, the object, is protection against attraction, the second is actually desire, from which a barrier is needed.
Idea development
At Kernberg, the development of object relations is considered from the point of view of intrapsychic conflict. He seems to a psychoanalyst different from a typical conflict pattern formed by impulse and protection from it. Instead, the conflict that acts as the basis for the relationship in question shows the internalized relationships of the objects due to the attraction of the person. They conflict with units. The opposite of that described, for example, will consist of representatives providing protection for the object, the self. The appearance of the mental sphere is interpreted by scientists as the progress of the intrapsychic vision of the representatives. This is due to the dyadic relationship of the mother, the child. Gradually, this is revealed through other dyads, progresses to the inclusion of the third unit, then transforms into a triangular structure.
About Klein Theory
The theory of object relations presented by M. Klein glorified this specialist in the field of psychoanalysts. Klein is one of the founders of this area of ​​psychology. She created theoretical bases, focusing on her own offspring. The emphasis in its fundamental calculations is made on pre-oedipal relations, due to a thorough analysis of this stage of development. Among the basic ideas is a conflict, explained by the initial struggle of life and death-instincts. Such a conflict, according to Klein, should be classified as innate. At the same time, the psychoanalyst suggested that the moment of birth be regarded as a psychological child’s very complex trauma that causes a person’s anxiety. In many ways, it determines the further relationship of the person and the world.
As can be learned from the publications devoted to the presentation (briefly) of the theory of object relations, Melanie Klein, conflicts of a person are set already at the first contact of the child with the world. This occurs through the breast of the mother who gave birth to the baby. The newborn is accompanied by anxiety, because of which the chest seems to be something hostile. Klein suggested considering impulses conditioned by instinct as having some correspondence in the fantasy serving this or that impulse. Every fantasy in its interpretation is a mental impulse representation.
Step by step
As can be learned from Klein’s theory, object relationships begin with the stage that the baby experiences in the first three months after birth. The psychoanalyst identified this stage as paranoid-schizoid. The first chosen term is explained by the fact that the newborn has a persistent phobia of persecution by an external negative object, that is, by the mother's breast. This object is introjected, so the child in every possible way seeks to destroy it. Such a poor object is due to death. The second term in the description of the stage is explained by the tendency to split oneself into positive and negative. The child’s fantasy is accompanied by bad breasts, which are a threat, and the bad part of the child is aimed at protecting against this object. The newborn directs the negative aspect of his personality to the mother in order to harm her and become the owner of the breast.
Like the death drive, the desire for life is also associated with maternal breasts. In Klein's theory of object relations, this is called libido. The chest is the first object of the external world with which the child interacts, it is good, and the attitude towards it is formed due to introjection. A man simultaneously strives for life, death, these two drives conflict with each other, which is expressed in the struggle of the breast, which provides nutrition and devours. So, in two aspects, the center of the Super Ego is immediately formed: positive, negative at the same time.
Growing up: Stage One
A three-month life span is a period when a child is afraid of an aggressive invasion, he is afraid that his own “I” will be destroyed from the outside, the ideal breast will be destroyed. Under ideal understand a good source of love. The ego tries to be in accordance with these postulates, but at the same time seeks to destroy the good chest.
As can be learned from the description (briefly) of the theory of object relations Klein, if the formation of personality at this primary step occurs correctly, the death instinct is weakened. Positive breast identification is present. A minor child is less likely to use splitting. The paranoid aspects of personality are gradually weakening. There is progress towards ego integration.
Second phase
One of the main ideas of the theory of object relations is the development of personality to the oral-sadistic stage. On average, this period lasts about a year and a half. Objects have positive, negative manifestations, which the child gradually learns to perceive comprehensively. Mother becomes a source of positive experience and negative impressions for a young child. By the age of three months, the depressive phase ends, and anxiety is formed by the apprehension of the destruction of the object of love. The child is afraid to harm what he loves. He seeks to orally introject a woman, to internalize, thereby providing her with protection from the destructive manifestations of his own personality. Omnipotence at the same time acts as the foundation of a phobia, since positive objects from the outside, inside can be absorbed. Accordingly, attempts to preserve the object of love at the same time for the child himself seem to be something destructive. A feature of this developmental stage is the dominance of hopelessness, fear, and depression. On average, by the age of nine months, a child, pursued by fears, moves away from his mother, concentrating the world around his father's penis - this object becomes a new oral desire.
As you can learn from the calculations, long supported by another specialist in the theory of object relations (Winnicott), the Klein theory has many positive aspects, but some of its provisions literally do not stand up to criticism. And that was more than enough. Psychotherapists and psychoanalysts who disagree with the researcher’s ideas believed that she studies objects too little, paying undue attention to drives. Accordingly, the theory of this author is far from an adequate assessment of the influence of the environment and personal experience. However, few argued that the initial stages of personality formation are described correctly. Klein has always pointed out the importance of the first stages of the formation of man, and all of her followers and opponents equally agreed with this postulate.
Freud and Klein
As you know, Klein theories were based on ideas expressed by Freud, however, this founder herself, who laid the foundations of the theory of object relations, did not support the female psychoanalyst. She critically perceived all the work of Klein. Anna Freud herself formulated theories, focusing on observations of children from orphanages. She was engaged in newborns and babies of the earliest age group. Her objects of observation were children separated from their parents. Anna believed that in the first time of the newborn's existence, his well-being is determined by the sending of physiological needs. Accordingly, the key role of the mother is to satisfy them. If the newborn is weaned from the parental wing, manifestations of mental disorders are immediately formed. As you reach the age of six months, the relationship with the woman who gave birth to a child goes to a new step. It’s just that sending needs becomes too narrow a category of interaction, permanent relationships begin to take shape. To this stage, the mother is the object of libido, and such a childish attitude is not determined by the level of satisfaction of the needs of physiology.
Having laid the foundations of the theory of object relations, Freud considered the relationship of a child who crossed the one-year age limit and women who gave birth to him as fully developed. She suggested evaluating them as appropriate in strength of adult love. Feelings and desires, due to instincts, are concentrated on the mother. However, gradually the relationship becomes less strong, and by the age of three ambivalent feelings appear. The next stage is the development of rivalry.
Concept: personality development
In Freud's view, object relations go to the next stage of development when the child reaches the age of three. This step lasts on average until the child reaches five years. One of the main formative factors is disappointment caused by the oedipal stage. The child is experiencing the loss of parental love - this is how the attempt of adults to socialize the child and bring it into line with the norms of a civilized community is perceived. Such an influence turns a child into an irritant, it is capricious and aggressive. From time to time, the child fiercely desires death to give birth to him, followed by a stage of recognition of his guilt, which causes deep suffering.
Freud, whose work largely determined the development of the idea of ​​object relations, suggested dividing the personality into Eid, Ego, Super-Ego. Eid is formed by libido, mortido. The first needs develop on oral, anal, sadistic, phallic, latent, preceding puberty and directly puberty pores. Aggression corresponding to each of the steps: bites, spitting, clinging, fierce attitude, desire for power, boasting, disocial behavior. The formation of the ego was presented as a sequence of protective measures: repression, reaction, projection, transfer, sublimation. Freud’s super-ego progress is expressed by identifying himself with his parents and internalizing their authority.
Causes and consequences
In the framework of the theory of object relations developed by Klein, Freud, Winnicott, every stage of the personality’s progress in a new person is determined by the result of a conflict of drives driven by instinct and external constraints determined by society and environment. Freud suggested taking phases into account and forming lines of progress. Feeding should begin in infancy and continue until it is reasonable, that is, until the child is able to master a rational eating habit. The line of neatness should begin with the educational program, last until the child learns in an automatic, unconscious format to control the excretory functions of the body. No less important is the line of formation of physical independence and respect for older generations. It was proposed to pay specific attention to the line of sexuality, which begins from infant dependence and progresses to a normal adult intimate life of a person.
Although it is generally said that the author of the theory of object relations is Klein, the works of Freud on this subject are no less significant. This psychoanalyst obliged to pay special attention to consciousness, the Ego, which was somewhat contrary to the calculations of her father, who considered the unconscious center of personality. Anna assessed the development of socialization, which occurs step by step, gradually. This process can be described as a transition from pleasure to reality. According to Anna, a person who was barely born is guided only by the law of pleasure, subordinating to him all the manifestations of his behavior. In this case, the baby depends on who cares for him, because there are no other ways to satisfy needs. The search for pleasure at this stage is an internal principle, and satisfaction is completely determined by external conditions.
Actions and feelings
In many ways, the therapy of couples in the theory of object relations is based on the idea of ​​the infant's development of a person as a stage when specific personality traits are laid, which in the future control its behavior. As described above, the internal principles of the pursuit of pleasure depend on external attendants. The mother can fulfill the desire of the child, but in the power to reject it. Based on the fulfillment of this role, it acts both as an object of love and for those who establish the first law of the infant. As numerous observations made by Freud have confirmed, maternal love and rejection are what largely determine development. Faster are the aspects that evoke a positive response in the mother, which is expressed in her support. Everything proceeds much slower if the mother is indifferent, hides a positive reaction.
Modern psychoanalysis requires special attention to be given to empathy. At the same time, according to a number of psychoanalysts, in science, the relationship between generations and the structuralization of a child’s personality is not clearly considered. The works created in the framework of the theory of object relations by Alden are devoted to this question. Briefly, they can be described as works devoted to the problems of empathy in the family. What seems empathy, this researcher notes, is often in fact only a compensatory maternal experience due to personal prohibitions. Based on these experiences, a woman simply condones the wishes expressed by the child. In 53rd, Alden published a work in which he pointed out the following fact: apparent maternal empathy is often due to the narcissism of her personal desires. This is the most powerful aspect than the child’s needs that she recognizes. A woman whose behavior is based on such a phenomenon behaves inconsistently, makes unpredictable demands, and punishes choosing inadequate and inappropriate situations, simply put, inappropriate.
Years and understanding
As studies of psychoanalysts have shown, already at an early age the child learns to correctly determine how the mother relates to a particular object, phenomenon, act. Accordingly, from the very first days of life one can talk about obedient children who are easy to manage, and self-willed, violently protesting against the restrictions imposed by elders.
As you grow older, physical needs become secondary, new aspirations take their place. The surrounding world continues to limit the achievement of what is desired. Even the most liberal older generation is obliged from time to time to limit children's aspirations, since the child wants all his desire to be satisfied right away. Intra and extra worlds do not correspond to each other, the child must take into account reality, feeling his own desires, but age is still quite small, which leads to the confusion of the personality. Freud believed that young children are too confused in the problems surrounding them, as a result, they show themselves stubborn and refuse to obediently behave.
In many respects, the success of adequate mental development is determined by the ability of the person’s ego to cope with deprivations, restrictions. This is determined by how the child fights displeasure. Any restriction, a situation that forces one to wait, potentially constitutes an intolerable state of affairs. The child is angry, enraged, shows impatience. If the elders try to replace the desired with another, he rejects the replacement, regarding it as not suitable enough. However, there are those whose restrictions do not give rise to such indignation. Both variants of behavioral attitudes are formed at an early age and persist for a long time.