The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast PREMIUM-(sub)Text#6: Melanie Klein's "Notes on Some Schizoid Mechanisms"
Apr 21, 2019
Explore Melanie Klein's groundbreaking work in psychoanalysis and object relations theory, challenging Freud's perspectives. Learn about the formation of internal objects and their influence on shaping our perception of the world. Discover how Klein's theories revolutionized psychoanalytic practices by delving into primitive mental states and unconscious fantasies.
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Klein's Innovation
- Melanie Klein revolutionized psychoanalysis by suggesting children have object relations from birth, enabling analysis of younger children and psychotics.
- This challenged Freud's belief that analysis was only suitable for neurotics who had reached the Oedipus complex.
Object Relations
- In psychoanalysis, "object" refers to a person, specifically the object of libido or the means of satisfying a sexual aim.
- Melanie Klein expanded this, focusing on the object as a person of identification or internalization, not just a passive recipient of drive.
Internalization
- We internalize people psychologically through unconscious fantasy.
- Klein extended Freud's object relations theory by suggesting this internalization happens from birth, not just after the Oedipus complex.