UNDERSTANDINGTHE DYNAMICS OF OBJECT RELATIONS WITH KLEIN and WINNICOT Zeynep Yildirim Fricker

The unexamined life is not worth living.
Socrates

Introduction This is an introductory work to Psychodynamic Approaches. It aims to develop some understanding of the dynamics of the object relations, by presenting elements of both Klein and Winnicot’s approaches. Considering the size and the complexity of the subject, this essay should be considered as a summary of the summary.
Every theory is born from assumptions and these assumptions became core principles of that theory.
I therefore found it useful to explain the core assumptions of Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Theories in part 1.
There are a few approaches to
Ego is a fragile structure of the mind in dynamics, it may become overridden by the other parts of the mind and could be for instance submerged by, or re absorbed into the id.
It may lose its reality testing, making judgement functions consciously or unconsciously. If there is any perceived signal of anxiety the ego brings a set of defensive mechanisms into play, for self preservation. (Laplanche and Pontalis, 1988). In this context strengthening the ego could be a therapeutic aim in psychodynamic work.

Super-ego is mostly unconscious, and the last developed part of the mind, it represents society’s formation of ideals, traditions, prohibitions, law and internalised morals. In the embodiment of superego the forbidden voice of the parents gets internalised and turns into a capacity for inner control in a person’s mind as part of the resolution of the Oedipus complex. (Laplanche and Pontalis, 1988).

6th Assumption emphasises the adaptability of the ego. Ego can make realistic plans, judgements and develop strategies that give the most adaptive answers to the social environment in order to survive.

7th Assumption emphasises the psychosocial part of human existence. Not only instinctual drives, but also the seeking of relationships is a motive of human behaviour. An