Self And Others: Object Relations Theory In Pra... Apr 2026

In Leo’s mind, Maya isn't just Maya. She has become a "representation" of his . When he was a toddler, his primary caregiver was often physically present but emotionally "blank" or rejecting when he was distressed. To survive, Leo internalized this experience, creating a "blueprint" of a Rejecting Object (the unavailable caregiver) and a Devalued Self (the child who isn't worth staying for). 2. Splitting and Projection

: Maya’s anger confirms Leo’s internal map. He thinks, "I knew it," and breaks up with her to regain a sense of "omnipotent" control over the inevitable abandonment. 4. The Path to Practice Self and Others: Object Relations Theory in Pra...

Because the pain of a "bad" caregiver is too much for a child to hold alongside the need for a "good" one, Leo used —separating people into "all-good" or "all-bad" categories. In Leo’s mind, Maya isn't just Maya

Leo, a successful architect, has a habit of "quitting before he can be fired"—not just in jobs, but in love. He is currently dating Maya. When Maya is five minutes late or forgets to text, Leo doesn’t just feel annoyed; he feels a cold, familiar void. 1. The Internalized Object To survive, Leo internalized this experience, creating a