Back to Table of Contents
Otto Kernberg ’s version of Object Relations Theory within Freud’s Structural Model and Hartmann’s Ego Psychology, has been in development since 1970’s. In his formulation, self and object representations are linked by affective dispositions. The focus here is on early conflicts of individuals with borderline pathologies. In his approach, object relations are seen as “an essential ego organizer” (Kernberg, 1977, p. 38) and ‘self-object-affect units’ as the primary determinants of the overall structures of the mind (id, ego, superego). In his paper “Self, Ego, Affects, and Drives”, Kernberg (1982) clarifies his views on development and structure formation, suggesting a modification of dual drive theory. In defining the self as an intrapsychic structure that originates from the ego (‘Ich’/I) and is embedded in it, Kernberg remains close to Freud’s implicit insistence that self and ego (‘Ich’/I) are indissolubly linked. Addressing the development of the earliest self and object representations, Kernberg integrates findings from contemporary neurobiology and studies of infant development with his revised formulation of the dual drive theory in the light of relation between affects and drives. Here, numerous affects are the primary motivational systems, linking gradually differentiated and integrated self and object representations, with affects consolidating gradually into libidinal or aggressive drives. In this model, affects are seen as the building blocks or constituents of drives. Kernberg would continue, update and refine his integrative work throughout the next 30 years. Kernberg’s version of Psychoanalytic Object Relations Theory (1982, 2004, 2015) relates the levels of development of psychic structure to the personality organization and psychopathology. He recognizes two basic levels of personality organization (borderline and neurotic), implying two basic levels of development, following the initial level of lack of differentiation and blurring of self and object boundaries (psychosis): Extending Jacobson and Mahler, selectively integrating certain aspects of Kleinian thought, Kernberg views the preverbal infant building a dual psychic structure, under the dominance of peak affect states. Under these conditions, self and object are split or dissociated into idealized and/or persecutory part-object representation. If mother-child interactions are dominated by aggressive affect, the integration required for ego identity is forestalled resulting in borderline personality disorder. Specifically, as it concerns narcissism, the investment is in a ‘pathological self structure’ (‘grandiose self’), containing ‘real self’, ‘ideal self’, and ‘ideal object representations’. However, if in the first three years of life, developmental conditions allow for the tolerance of ambivalence, of combined positive and negative emotional relations with the same external objects, the child can develop an integrated sense of self (‘normal self’, realistic self concept) and the capacity for an integrated view of significant others. Here, the achievement of self and object constancy, allows for the formation of ego identity . The resulting internal structuralization delimits the id, and gives rise to an ego capable of sublimatory functions allowing for the adaptive expression of emotional needs regarding sexuality, dependency, autonomy and aggressive/assertive self-affirmation. Internalized object relations that include ethically derived demands and prohibitions transmitted in the early interactions of the infant with his psychosocial environment are integrated into the Super-Ego. This more integrated
265
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online