An Introduction to Object Relations

by Lavinia Gomez

Object Relations places relationships at the centre of what it is to be human. Its premise is that the human being is essentially social and that our need for others is primary. Object Relations originated as the British-based development of classic Freudian theory. Its early proponents were Melanie Klein, Ronald Fairbairn, Donald Winnicott, Michael Balint, Harry Guntrip and John Bowlby. In this critical introduction to the subject, Lavinia Gomez presents the work of the main theorists chronologically, enabling the reader to gain a sense of how Object Relations develops and the ways in which the theorists build on, diverge from and oppose each other's ideas. An understanding of concepts emerges gradually as similar phenomena are examined though the eyes of each theorist. A brief biography brings to life the persons behind the theory, contributing to a deeper understanding and critical appreciation of their ideas. The second part of the book addresses the application of Object Relations in the practice of counselling and Psychotherapy; the issue of integrating different approaches; and the challenges of working across social and cultural groups and with borderline and psychotic people. A final chapter examines the foundations of Object Relations. Through written with students of psychotherapy and counselling in mind, this lively and perceptive book will interest anyone wishing to explore this fascinating field. Its strengths lie in its comprehensive coverage, its openness to different theoretical orientations and critical awareness of Object Relations as a culturally specific system of thought.

Genres: Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Nonfiction

245 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[James Rye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this book. Although I am a counsellor with 15 year's experience, and degrees in philosophy, in psychology, and in counselling, and although I really wanted to understand what an object relations therapy would involve, I finished the book not much wiser. I bought the book because an Amazon reviewer said it was the most readable introduction to the subject. If that's true, I dread to think what the other books are like.

The strength of the book is that the brief biographical sections putting the main theorists in context are interesting and readable. However, the author, from my perspective, fails to explain the theories in language that a non-expert would understand. Time and time again I read and re-read sentences and looked at jargon-filled diagrams without having a clue what was meant. There was a severe failure to communicate complex ideas clearly.

Ironically the chapter that seemed most accessible to me - the one on Bowlby - was the one that seemed to have least to do with object relations.

The book is a good idea and is structured in a useful way. However, about 70% of the material needs to be re-written for people without psychoanalytic background looking for an introduction.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic - a brilliant introduction to Object Relations, guiding the reader through from Freud to present day thinking. As a foundation student I really valued Gomez’s gradual and steady explanation and found this really readable. I’ll probably refer back to it again and again and would recommend it to anyone studying psychology, counselling or simply wanting to understand the basics of this school of thought. Fascinating.

[Ariel's Booklist · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very comprehensive overview of the main theorists in early ORT. I found the writing to be mostly engaging and I loved the overall structure of the book. Definitely helpful if you're new to ORT and you want a solid background in it's early development/history.

[cyan]

I've read enough of this book for it to count as a finished reading.

[Private Label · Rating 5 out of 5]

What it is? A book that spans an era of theorists that were responsible for the coming of age of this theory of "Object Relations", who those theorists were, their ideas, and an explanation of what it all means.

I absolutely love this book, as a required reading for my Freud and Object relations class that I took this past fall semester at California State University Channel Islands I gained valuable insight into the workings of the mind. I must commend my professor Dr. Harley Baker for my better understanding of this subject. And, while I am a student, the topics discussed in this book, and in the class that Harley taught were so in-depth that it takes you to a whole different realm of realization about our relationships not only with other's but with the internal objects that we all carry around with us in our mind about those others. Those idealized representations of what we expect someone or something to be like.

I absolutely highly recommend this book as a basic starting point to object relations for those who have no experience in the subject. It helps if you have someone who is an expert in it to assist in your understanding of the topic, but it's not absolutely necessary.

Keep in mind that some of the theorists in the book have some 'way out there' ideas not related to Object relations, but as you study about each theorist they all had one thing in common, and that was that each of them had something to give to the subject.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well read this for study, interesting and eye opening but hard going... psycho-dynamic wonders...good for study..