This post-Freudian theory proposes relational constructs or objects in the unconscious as the structure that affects human development. The child retains an imprint of the relationship with the primary caretaker and projects the representation onto all future relationships. When parenting is deficient, the object relations embedded in the unconscious is problematic and the person exhibits psychological difficulties. Relational objects can be inconstant, or not dependable, when based on neglectful parenting. An adult with a problematic childhood history will forever project inappropriate prototypes onto others. When parenting is sufficient, the child develops through a sequence of stages where the child gradually grows from dependence on parents to personal independence. Object relations psychology: Therapists using object relations theory provide reparenting experiences for clients so that positive objects can be internalized by clients. Objects: A term used in object relations theory to denote internal images of other people. When we are infants, other people are merely objects that provide food and other necessities. Childhood reactions to others are distilled into mental constructs and these mental images become a permanent part of a person's internal world.
Related Articles to the term 'Object relations theory' | |
| 'Nurturing' | ■■■■■■■■■■ |
| Nurturing in the context of psychology refers to the process of caring for and encouraging the growth, . . . Read More | |
| 'Psychoanalytic approach' | ■■■■■■■■■■ |
| Psychoanalytic approach in psychology refers to a set of theories and therapeutic techniques developed . . . Read More | |
| 'Oedipus complex' | ■■■■■■■■■■ |
| Oedipus complex refers to the Freud\'s theory where the boys want to kill his father and sleep with his . . . Read More | |
| 'Object relations' | ■■■■■■■■■ |
| Object relations refers to one\'s unconscious representations of important people in one\'s life. Object . . . Read More | |
| 'Toddler' | ■■■■■■■■■ |
| Toddler in the psychology context refers to a young child, typically between the ages of one and three . . . Read More | |
| 'Rectum' | ■■■■■■■■■ |
| Rectum in the psychology context is primarily discussed in relation to Freudian psychoanalytic theory, . . . Read More | |
| 'Neurotic needs' | ■■■■■■■■■ |
| Neurotic needs refer to ten (10) irrational defenses against Anxiety that become a permanent part of . . . Read More | |
| 'Adolescent' | ■■■■■■■■ |
| In the psychology context, an adolescent refers to an individual in the transitional stage of development . . . Read More | |
| 'Mistreatment' | ■■■■■■■■ |
| Mistreatment in psychology refers to the inappropriate or harmful behaviour directed towards an individual, . . . Read More | |
| 'Cognitive development' | ■■■■■■■ |
| Cognitive development refers to age-related changes that occur in mental activities, such as attending, . . . Read More | |