Contributions of Object Relations Theory and Self Psychology to Relational Psychology and Group Psychotherapy

Abstract

ABSTRACTObject relations theory and self psychology are psychoanalytic perspectives that are especially concerned with interpersonal relations and their mental representations. Object relations theory began as an intrapsychic “singleton” psychology with the work of Freud and Melanie Klein. It subsequently evolved into a multiperson psychology with the work of Bion on groups, as well as the clinical and theoretical contributions of Winnicott and Fairbaim. Kohutian self psychology, which emerged later, has been interested in the relations between the self and significant others as mirroring and idealizing “selfobjects.” Stolorow's “intersubjective perspective” emerged from self psychology as a full-fledged multiperson point of view. This article considers the significance of contemporary object relations theory and self psychology as relational, multiperson perspectives in terms of their application to group psychotherapy, focusing upon the group-as-a-whole, projective identification, transitional space and object, and self/selfobject relations as particularly useful constructs. A clinical vignette is provided.