To what does the word object refer in object relations theory?
The term object was used by Freud to refer to any activity or an object or a person through which an instinct could be satisfied. The first thing, in Freud’s’ view, in the life of a toddler that could fulfill his instinct is the mother’s breast. In the later stages of the life of an individual, mother becomes a moral support and the person depends upon her for the safety. During the growth age, other individuals, with different relation also become important and are used to fulfill instinct of an individual, for example, friends, spouse, children and others.
Theories of object relations concentrate mainly on the interpersonal relationships of the individuals with the objects; whereas, Freud viewed mainly on the biological needs of the person. Thus, the theorists of object relations emphasized that the social and the environment forces are responsible for conditioning the personality of the individual rather than the biological instincts alone. This is particularly displayed in case of mother-child relationship.
These theorists also proposed that the interactions during infancy are more important and depending upon the nature of the relationship, the personality is shaped accordingly. The personality is further shaped as the child grows and become free of the primary need, the mother. In this way, he become more self-conscious and is able to take independent decisions as well as is able to make relations with other objects.
The work of Melanie Klein provides an excellent example in this respect. Grown as an uninvited child, she faced great depression. Her parents always had ignored her. Strangely, she alienated her own adult daughter, who later grew to become an analyst. She claimed that Melanie had always interfered in her wards’ lives and as a result of this her son committed suicide. The main focus of the Klein’s work was on the mother-child relationship.
She proposed that the initial 6 months are necessary in this relationship. According to her, the connection between the infant and the mother is not based on sexual terms but on the cognitive and the social terms. The mother’s breasts, if has satisfied the infant’s id, is proved to be favorable, else it is hostile. Hence, these 6 months, when the child entirely depends on mother for food, the basic relationship of infant with other objects is rooted.