Tag: object relations

Ego Self and Object Relations

How the mind’s simple operating system distorts the world and traps us in the past

How the Mind Relates to the World and Others…

There is you/me

There is the other

There is an energetic/emotional/mental relationship between the two that connects to the past and the present is seen and interpreted through this lens.

Our experiences before and after birth impress upon our mind and nervous system as memory traces – mostly unconscious. These impressions form the building blocks for all future interactions with the world and others as the mind tries to learn from experiences by interpreting events and comparing what’s happening now to the past (projecting the past onto the present) and anticipating the future. These internal mental relationships are called object relations. (more…)

February 1
Freud’s Psyche – Psyched on Freud

How Neurotic was Sigmund Freud?

There’s no doubt that Sigmund Freud has made a huge contribution to the evolution and well being of mankind. Freud’s insight into human nature and his exploration of the human psyche laid the groundwork for most western psychological theory and understanding in the world today.

From Object Relations Theory to Depth Psychology and Self Psychology to Transpersonal Psychology, Freud’s influence is seen throughout them all. Margaret Mahler, Heinz Kohut, D.W. Winnicott and every other pioneer of human psychology owe a debt to Freud.

But, the question remains – how neurotic was Sigmund Freud? I don’t believe there are very many people on the planet free of some degree of neurosis. Many of Freud’s theories and postulates have come under scrutiny and challenge. This is normal for those pushing the envelope of human understanding and Freud was certainly pushing the envelope in his day.

Freud and Groucho Marx would have been a great YouTube video. A 4 minute dialogue on cigars could have been one of the great viral videos of all time.

I think it was my last post that mentioned penis envy that got me to thinking about Freud and his neurosis.

When it comes to our personal growth and unfoldment, keeping an open mind about our possible blind spots is an invaluable asset. Using our friends to identify these doorways into deeper self-knowledge is great blessing – something Freud seems to have had a problem with.

Links of Interest

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Items of Interest

November 14
Introjection – Psychological Introjection

Introjection is a psychological process where the subject replicates in itself behaviors, attributes or other fragments of the surrounding world, especially of other subjects.

In this case the subject is you – me – us – we. Well, anyway – it’s anyone who has been born of human beings and raised by human beings in some kind of human environment or family situation – on earth – as far as we know.

Introjection is universal to ego structure though most psychological theory might not see it as ubiquitous as it is. Also, many might not see introjection functioning as a defense mechanism all of the time.

Psychologist and others who study the mind might see introjection as a natural, necessary part of ego structure. And it is – BUT – like all ego structure – it’s phase specific and it remains operative in our psyches because life-long ego structure is a result of arrested development – arrested development from the perspective of the unfoldment of the soul.

Looking at introjection in simplistic object relations terms – we take in images or impressions of an other (mom – dad) to become like them. We take on characteristics of our parents and others through modeling to achieve some sense of harmony with our environment.

A necessary step in the psychological development of a human being. But all of this incorporated mental content can be dissolved as it is not necessary for identity. The difficulty lies in the fact that we have become so identified with the content, we lose touch with the medium that the content exists within – the soul or the field of being.

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose… Kris Kristofferson, Me and Bobby McGee

Ain’t it the truth – when the content is gone – there is pure simple being without the past and awesome, vast freedom that we recognize as part of what we are.

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Image by Alan Babbit

September 9
Object Relations Theory
Understanding object relations theory gives one invaluable insight into themselves and others.

Object Relations Theory is the idea that the ego-self exists in relation to other objects, which may be external or internal. The internal objects are internalized versions of external objects, primarily formed from early interactions with the environment (primarily parents).

Three fundamental “affects” that can exist between the self and the other:
- attachment
- frustration
- rejection
Object relations is a way the mind organizes information. The mind is always relating and comparing what is happening to the past – looking for understanding and meaning. At a subconscious level, object relations is how we project the past onto the present. We rarely see others or events as they are – we see the past and interact with the past.

Object relations are not just about people. An idea, and ideal, your car, your house, your situation – all of these are part of object relations in your subconscious mind.

Object relations theory helps explain “our buttons” and those endless cycles we continue to go through. Digging down into the dark grey matter is not pleasant at times, but it can be freeing.

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June 28
Object Constancy

According to object relations theory, object constancy involves maintaining a lasting relationship with a specific object, or rejecting any substitute for such an object. Example of the latter: rejecting mothering from anyone except one’s own mother.

Object constancy is “the capacity to recognize and tolerate loving and hostile feelings toward the same object; the capacity to keep feelings centered on a specific object; and the capacity to value an object for attributes other than its function of satisfying needs. – Margaret Mahler

You may know people who see others as all good or all bad – partisan politics?? And of course there are those that only value people according to their utility. Many people long to be real, to with others that are real, and have real relationships.

Object constancy is usually defined as the capacity to see and relate to the other as a person in his or her own right. This capacity is part of the quality of the Personal Essence, of being personal and able to make direct personal contact. – A. H. Almaas

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February 28