What Is Object Relations Theory: Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott, Otto Kernberg, Fairbairn
Object Relations Theory is a psychoanalytic framework emphasizing that early relationships with primary caregivers shape an individual’s psyche, internalizing these figures as “objects” that dictate adult interpersonal dynamics. Originating in the mid-20th century, it shifted focus from Freud’s drive theory to the motivational power of human connection. Key Theorists and Contributions: These theorists collectively established that internalized …