Object Relations Theory

Question 1

Object Relations Theory:

Audio File: 8

Answer 1

Transgenerational Models of Family Therapy,

Primary Contributors:

James Framo

Norman Paul

Jill & David Scharff

Key Terms & Primary Interventions

Countertransference:  
Insight:
Interpretation:  
Introject:  
Object:  
Projection:
Projective Identification:  
Transference:  
Working Through:

Question 2

Countertransference:

Answer 2

Object Relations Theory:
The therapist’s tendency to attribute qualities that reflect unresolved grievances from a previous relationship onto a client.

Question 3

Working Through:

Answer 3

Object Relations Theory:
After insight is achieved, the working through process entails translating insight into more desirable and constructive ways of being.

Question 4

Transference:

Answer 4

Object Relations Theory:
The tendency of individuals to attribute qualities to other individuals—partners, family members, or the therapist—that reflect unresolved grievances from a previous relationship.

Question 5

Projective Identification:

Answer 5

Object Relations Theory:
When a child is born, each parent of the couple system projects the remnants of his or her repressed object relationships onto the child. The child then internalizes these projections into becoming significant components of his or her personality development.

Question 6

Projection:

Answer 6

Object Relations Theory:

When a child is born, each parent projects the fragments of his or her repressed object relationships onto the child.

Question 7

Object:

Answer 7

Object Relations Theory:
An individual’s collective distortions based upon his or her subjective experiences and perceptions of another person—typically, a primary care giver. The object is typically an internalized representation of a parent or primary caregiver based upon a series of repeated interactions throughout early childhood.

Question 8

Introject:

Answer 8

Object Relations Theory:

Internalized objects become introjects, and are split into being either all-good or all-bad.

Question 9

Interpretation:

Answer 9

Object Relations Theory:
The therapist’s hypotheses pertaining to the influence of a client’s past experiences on his or her current behaviors and struggles.

Question 10

Insight:

Answer 10

Object Relations Theory:
The process of raising unconscious forces to awareness, allowing clients to better understand how underlying dynamics impact their behavior and relationships.