Tennessee Williams is a playwright of great psychological depth. This thesis probes some of the complexities of his work through the use of Object Relational Psychoanalysis, specifically employing the theories of Melanie Klein, W.R.D. Fairbairn and Donald Winnicott. The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and The Night of The Iguana are analysed from this theoretical stance. All of these plays display great perceptiveness into the human condition, accurately portraying many psychological relational themes. Certain Object Relational themes become very apparent in these analyses. These themes include, Dependency (especially in The Glass Menagerie), Reparation (particularly in A Streetcar Named Desire), Falsehood (notably in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Idealisation (evident in The Night of The Iguana), Honest Empathetic Relations (apparent in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Night of The Iguana) as well as Guilt, Object Loss, Sexual Guilt, and Obligation (recurring throughout these plays). It is advanced that Williams’ plays posses an honest and insightful understanding of human relations and, as such, are of contemporary value. This Thesis is not only an academic study, but also has practical applications for dramatists. With an increased understanding of the intrinsic tensions and motivations within such plays, offered by such psychoanalytic strategy, performance and staging of such work may be enhanced valuably.

Sexual abuse of children has profound negative effects on psychological development. This study examined the effects of sexual abuse on object relations functioning by using the Mutuality of Autonomy Scale (MAS, Urist, 1977) to score Rorschach protocols of 63 abused children and 60 non-abused clinical controls. The hypothesis that abused children would have less developed object relations than their non-abused counterparts was not supported. Neither was the hypothesis that children who experienced greater severity of sexual abuse would exhibit more malevolent object relations. The hypothesis that mean and modal MAS scores would be highly intercorrelated and interchangeable as research variables was supported. Comparisons of this sample to a normative sample are discussed.

Orientador: Cláudia Thereza Guimarães de Lemos / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Estudos da Linguagem / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T14:57:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mazaferro_Renata_D.pdf: 419112 bytes, checksum: 325cd2504648fd3186ffe2cf4731891b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Parte-se, nesta tese, da fantasia conforme apresentada por Freud através do sonho dos lobos, no caso História de uma neurose infantil (1918[1914]). Segundo Freud, o sonho dos lobos é "ativação" da cena de coito do casal parental. Jamais lembrada, "fantasia fundamental", a cena impossível de simbolizar é "construção da análise". Freud não recua diante do não simbolizável, mas Lacan o nomeia: real. A transmissão em psicanálise é efeito do não simbolizável? O segundo capítulo trata da fantasia como narrativa e da frase da fantasia. Herói de todas as histórias, maciçamente presente na fantasia como narrativa, o "eu" está ausente na frase da fantasia de espancamento. A frase intermediária, não simbolizável - uma construção da análise - permite a reconstrução do "eu". Flagrante da cena de constituição do inconsciente, a frase possibilita uma gramática e a depreensão de uma lógica gramatical da fantasia. Por ser articulação significante, tal qual a narrativa, a frase é considerada um deslocamento de Freud na questão da fantasia. O terceiro capítulo apresenta o passo de Lacan. Com a lógica do fantasma, a frase enquanto estrutura gramatical é considerada para ser implodida. Da frase resta o objeto a, na frase da fantasia de espancamento: o olhar. O objeto a apresenta-se como corpo, mas não "corpo total": não especularizável, o objeto a é queda, aquilo que desgarra ou se afasta do corpo de que depende. A castração possibilita definir a função do objeto a em seu estatuto lógico. Na subjetivação, o sujeito ocupa o lugar do objeto a. A lógica do fantasma inclui o objeto a na lógica do significante. Uma narrativa de caso, forma de transmissão em psicanálise, é apresentada no quarto capítulo. O capítulo final, a passagem de "o impossível é o real" a "o real é o impossível", considera: enquanto o complexo de Édipo se funda no interdito - o impossível de simbolizar, nos termos de Lacan: 'o impossível é o real' - a fórmula "não há relação sexual", axioma lacaniano da castração, se funda em "o real é o impossível". Efeito de estrutura, 'o real como o impossível' faz existir a hipótese desta tese: o não simbolizável, o interdito representado pelo complexo de Édipo - 'o impossível é o real' - funda o campo freudiano e produz a transmissão em psicanálise / Abstract: This thesis is based on fantasy as Freud presented this concept in the dream about the wolves in the clinical case entitled The History of an Infantile Neurosis (1918[1914]). According to Freud, this dream was an "activation" of the scene of intercourse between the Wolf Man's parents. This "fundamental fantasy", this scene, that is never remembered and cannot be symbolized, is a "construction of analysis." Freud never backed down on the idea of non-symbolizable, but Lacan called it "real." Is transmission in psychoanalysis the effect of the non-symbolizable? The second chapter of the thesis discusses the fantasy as narrative and the phrase of the fantasy. The hero of all stories, unmistakably present in the fantasy as narrative, the "I" (or the "ego") is absent from the phrase of the fantasy of being beaten. The intermediate phrase, which is non-symbolizable - it is a construction of analysis - enables the "ego" to be reconstructed. The phrase is an instantaneous glance at the scene of the constitution of the unconscious and enables the existence of a grammar and a detachment from a grammatical logic of the fantasy. As it is a signifying articulation, as is the narrative, a phrase is considered a displacement by Freud in the question of the fantasy. The third chapter presents Lacan's advance. With the logic of the fantasy, the phrase as grammatical structure is considered for implosion. In the phrase of the fantasy of beating only object a remains: the gaze. Object a is seen as body, but not "total body": unspecularizable, object a is fall, something that comes loose from, or moves away from, the body it depends on. Castration makes it possible to define the function of object a in its status in logic. In subjectivation the subject occupies the place of object a. The logic of the fantasy includes object a in the logic of the signifier. The narrative of a case, on a form of transmission in psychoanalysis, is presented in Chapter Four. The last chapter, the passage from "the impossible is the real" to "the real is the impossible," considers that: whereas the Oedipus complex is founded on the interdicted - what cannot be symbolized, in Lacan's terms: 'the impossible is the real' - the formula "there is no sexual relationship," Lacan's axiom for castration - is founded on "the real is the impossible." As the effect of structure, "the real as the impossible" brings the hypothesis of this thesis into existence: the not-symbolizable, the interdicted represented by the Oedipus complex - "the impossible is the real" - founds the Freudian field and produces transmission in psychoanalysis / Doutorado / Linguistica / Doutor em Linguística

L'accompagnement en tant qu'auxiliaire de vie scolaire de Max, adolescent diagnostiqué autiste Asperger, fut le cadre de notre observation et de recherche clinique. Max a l'habitude d'aller toucher les cheveux d'autrui, ce que nous envisageons comme la manipulation d'un objet autistique atypique et une modalité particulière de rencontre de l'autre. À partir des travaux et des références de Francès Tustin, nous proposons une recherche à propos des fondements métapsychologiques de la notion d'objet autistique afin de déterminer quels sont les processus psychiques qui sous-tendent leur apparition. Nous étudions les cheveux en tant qu'éléments corporels symboliques et découvrons leur polysémie. Puis nous comparons la fonction et la manipulation des objets autistiques à celles des objets transitionnels, fétiches et self-objects, ce qui nous permet de penser des modalités spécifiques de relations d'objet. Notre hypothèse de la relation autistique à l'objet envisage l'émergence des objets autistiques en tant que témoins d'une relation à l'autre impossible et évitée, mais néanmoins recherchée et désirée. Cet évitement mènerait à l'intérêt pour un objet matériel. En outre, nous présentons le travail d'élaboration de notre accompagnement et de notre relation. Ainsi, l'élaboration du contre-transfert s'étaye sur une mise en dialogue de la situation d'observation et d'œuvres littéraires. Enfin, nous proposons une extension de la notion d'objet autistique et de la relation autistique à l'objet par une réflexion sur les nouvelles modalités de relation à l'autre que constituent les communications numériques. / The help I provided to Max as a school assistant was our context for the clinical research presented in this thesis. Max is a handicapped teenager diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. He is used to touch other people's hair, which we consider as an atypical autistic object and a particular mode of meeting others. Based on Francès Tustin's work and research, we offer a study about the metapsychological foundations of the autistic object's concept to define the psychic processes underlying their appearance. We consider hair as a symbolic part of the body and found their polysemy. Then we compare the autistic object's fonction and manipulation with those of transitionnal objects, fetish objects and self-objects, which allows us to think of specific modes of object relations. Our hypothesis about autistic object relations considers the emergence of autistic objects as witnesses of an impossible and avoided relation to another, nevertheless sought and desired. This avoidance would lead to the interest for a material object. Moreover, we present the development of our study, in helping and relationship. Therefore the countertransference elaboration is based on dialogue between our observation situation and literary work. At last, we propose an extension of the autistic object concept and of the autistic object relation by reflecting on the new forms of communication with others, like digital communications.

No description available.

This study attempted to provide validation for Lerner and Lerner's Rorschach Defense Scale by investigating the relationship between primitive defenses as measured by the Rorschach Defense Scale, level of object relations as measured by the Developmental Analysis of the Concept of the Object Scale, and characteristic defensive operations as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. One hundred and twenty undergraduates completed the Rorschach and MMPI, and the RDS and DACOS were applied to their Rorschach responses. The results show a significant positive correlation between use of primitive defenses and level of object relations development -and a significant negative correlation between the defense Projective Identification and MMPI scale 6 (Paranoia) elevation. Overall, these results did not support the validity of the RDS.

The existential dimension has gained importance in health studies in the last decades (Moreira-Almeida & Koenig, 2006; DeMarinis, 2008). Little Swedish research exists in this area. A pilot study was conducted in a suburban Stockholm, Church of Sweden parish. Research question was: “How does the existential dimension of health, understood as the ability to create and maintain a functional meaning-makings system, affect the person’s self-rated health and quality of life?” Theoretical framework included: health research focusing the existential dimension; public health through psychology of religion; and, object-relations theory. The mixed-methods format included semi-structured interviews, and surveys: 1) on meaning-making, and 2) Swedish pilot translation of WHOQOL-SRPB (self-rated health and quality of life including spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs). Central results showed a positive relation between the existential health dimension and: overall ratings of physical, mental, social, and environmental health (p = .008); the overall existential health dimension and mental health (p = .008); and, social health (p = .046) and, the combined health items “How do you feel?” and “How satisfied are you with your health?” (p = .001). These results find support in WHO’s health perspective, and are linked to DeMarinis’ health dimensions and Winnicott’s understanding of potential space. Health dimensions: physical, mental, social, ecological and existential, are closely interlinked. The existential dimension is important through interaction with the others, and through its function as an autonomous health dimension. The study underlines the need for – and offers a culturally-tested method and model to explore existential needs in this secularized context.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Africa, 2002.

This research builds upon and explores an enigmatic set of experiences which theorists in the Object Relations tradition have characterised as regression to dependence, a return to a primitive, pre-verbal relational process presenting in some clients in psychotherapy. This research is a study of the concept of regression to dependence, its manifestation within the psychotherapy process, and facilitation within the therapeutic relationship. The Psychoanalytic theoretical positions on regression to dependence are explored, together with the Relational/Developmental perspective which recognises regression and its importance within psychotherapy. This exploration seeks to understand the experience of regression to dependence, how regression to dependence can be effectively worked within Integrative Psychotherapy, and makes recommendations for Integrative practitioners and theorists related to effective facilitation of clients, showing how the Relational/Developmental approach can effect repair. The study employs a qualitative methodology. A heuristic study was undertaken in which eleven practicing psychotherapists were interviewed and data was collected via semi-structured interviews. Most participants were interviewed twice, with a view to collecting data on both their personal experience as a client in psychotherapy and also their experiences as practitioners when working with clients who were experiencing regression to dependence. The transcripts from these interviews were analysed for emergent themes. The themes are discussed in the context of and with reference to the Psychoanalytic theoretical position and the Relational/Developmental perspective. An account is offered of how these experiences have come to be understood as recollecting difficulties in early infantile relationships. Reflections are made on the essence and qualities of a therapy that can facilitate regression to dependence in order to promote healing. Recommendations are made for the practice of Integrative Psychotherapy and the training of Integrative Psychotherapists in order to prepare them for this work. These recommendations for therapists include; having sufficient preparation, knowledge and understanding to be able to recognise and work with a regressive process emerging in the client; having an understanding of the need to facilitate this process for some clients; and to be aware of the need for particular adaptations in the therapeutic stance in some circumstances, and the difficulties which may arise. Recommendations are also offered regarding the support needed for the therapist whilst working with this process, which include the need for ongoing personal therapy, and supervision. The researcher’s personal story is an intrinsic part of the research, and as an integral part of this study is in accordance with the heuristic and autoethnographic styles, and with the practice of Integrative Psychotherapy, where the use of self is seen as a crucial clinical tool in the therapeutic process. Throughout this study reflexivity has been used regarding the personal experiences of the researcher as client, therapist and researcher.

L’Urgence négative est un trait caractéristique du trouble de personnalité limite. Cependant ce modèle des traits ne permet pas d’expliquer les variétés des formes d’expression ni le niveau de sévérité de gestes impulsifs, qu’ils soient dirigés contre soi ou contre autrui. L’intégration du modèle des relations d’objet à celui des traits offre une meilleure compréhension de cette variabilité. Dans la théorie des relations d’objet, la diffusion de l’identité est spécifique aux organisations limites de la personnalité. Elle est caractérisée par un manque d’intégration des représentations de soi et d’autrui à cause d’une séparation excessive des affects positifs et négatifs investis dans les images de soi et d’autrui. Elle est associée à un manque d’intégration des structures psychiques du Moi et du Surmoi. Le niveau de l’intégration de l’identité agirait en modulant la relation en un trait d’urgence négative élevé et l’expression des gestes impulsifs. Cette étude, réalisée auprès d’étudiants, était la première à tester une telle hypothèse. Bien qu’elle n’ait pas permis de démontrer une telle relation de modération, compte tenu de certaines limites, il apparaît nécessaire de réévaluer ce modèle modérateur au sein d’un d’échantillon de plus grande taille. / Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by negative Urgency, one of the impulsivity facets. However the model of personality traits can’t explain the varieties of expression and severity of impulsive behaviors which can be directed against self or others in BPD. Integrating the object relations model with the personality traits leads to an improved understanding of this variability. In object relations theory, identity diffusion is specific to borderline organization. It is characterized by a lack of integration of the conceptions of self and others derived from an excessive split between positive and negative affects invested in self and others images. This diffusion is associated with a deficit of Ego and Superego structures. Level of identity integration would modulate the relationship between high negative urgency and the forms and severity of impulsive behaviors. This study is the first to evaluate this hypothesis. Data collected from students sample have not demonstrated any moderating effect because of some limitations in the study. Nevertheless, the Identity diffusion index was as expected negatively correlated with many variables related to impulsivity such as borderline impulsivity (r=-.23), physical aggression (r=-.31), urgency trait (r=-.31) and acting out (r=-30). However, this hypothesis needs to be tested with larger samples.