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VI. C. Contemporary Diverse Scene VI. Ca. Otto F. Kernberg - an integration of ego psychology and object relations theory perspective : partial & more complete self and object representations Since the 1970’s, Kernberg has been developing a version of Object Relations Theory within the Structural Theory/Ego Psychology. In his approach, ‘self-object-affect units’ (Kernberg, 1977) are the primary determinants of the overall structures of the mind (i.e.id, ego, superego). In Kernberg’s model (1982, 2004, 2012 2013, 2014, 2015), a ‘supraordinate’ self is a sum total of the partial and gradually more complete self-representations , as he strives to integrate the neuro-biological activation of affective systems, the differentiation of self from others, the development of a theory of mind and of empathy, the evolution of the self-structure, and the development of the processes of mentalization. In his paper “Self, Ego, Affects, and Drives” (Kernberg 1982), Kernberg clarifies his views on development and structure formation, suggesting a modification of dual drive theory. It is already here that he proposes to reserve the term ‘self’ for the sum total of self- representations in intimate connection with the sum total of object representations . 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. This model conceives of the self as invested with both libidinal and aggressive drive derivatives integrated in the context of their component self representations . Addressing the development of the earliest self and object representations, relevant to the development of the self, 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 system, 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 (2015) emphasizes the dynamic complexity of the earliest weeks and months of life. He asserts that already during the boundaryless ‘symbiotic phase’ (Mahler, Pine and Bergman 1975), where baby and the mother are an ‘operative unit’, early strivings for differentiation of self and the rudiments of empathy are emerging as prerequisites for a “theory of mind” (Gerzely and Unoka, 2011; Kernberg 2015). 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. Idealized self-representations relating to an idealized object,
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