Slide 1ObjectivesPsychoanalysis in PerspectiveLatter-Day Issues and Theorists: Object Relations TheoryLatter-Day Issues and Theorists: Object Relations TheoryLatter-Day Issues and Theorists: Object Relations TheoryLatter-Day Issues and Theorists: Object Relations TheoryCurrent Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment TheorySlide 9Slide 10Current Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment TheoryCurrent Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment TheoryRelationship between attachment and adulthood relationshipsSecure Attachment in Adults?Anxious/Preoccupied Attachment in AdultsAvoidant/Dismissing Attachment in AdultsCurrent Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment TheorySlide 18Personality and Humanistic/Positive PsychologyThe Implications of Phenomenology: Understanding OthersHumanistic roots: ExistentialismHumanistic roots: ExistentialismExistentialism: Authentic ExistenceExistentialism: The Eastern AlternativeExistentialism: The Eastern AlternativeEnded here 4/18/161Psychology of PersonalityLecture 22: 4/18/16Object Relations and Attachment TheoryIntro to Humanistic PsychologyStephanie Federspiel, Ph.D.Objectives•Recap propositions of psychoanalytic theory that have been empirically supported•Discuss object relations and research on attachment theory.•Discuss humanistic and positive psychology contributions for understanding the phenomenology of personality.–Briefer emphasis on their links with existentialismPsychoanalysis in Perspective•Five neo-Freudian propositions that are firmly established and supported:(1) Much of mental life is unconscious(2) Mind does many things at once; conflict likely.(3) Childhood events shape adult personality.(4) Relationships  patterns that repeat(5) Psychological development: moving away from an unregulated, self-centered, immature state (re: conscious concerns, perceptions) to a more regulated state with + mutuality, + awareness of self and others.Latter-Day Issues and Theorists:Object Relations Theory•Melanie Klein and D. W. Winnicott•Objects:•Object relations theory–We relate to others via images of them in our minds–The images do not always match reality!!Latter-Day Issues and Theorists:Object Relations Theory•Four principal themes1. Experience: Satisfaction & frustration; pleasure & pain.2. Emotion/cathexis: mix of love and hate3. Splitting: we don’t always integrate the parts of the love object into a whole person4. Awareness: The psyche is aware of and disturbed by these contradictory feelings.Latter-Day Issues and Theorists: Object Relations Theory•Splitting love objects into good/bad parts–Common in children; immature representation–Instability of representations in personality disorders–Idealization as a common defense•Work with children–Play therapy for symbolic expression of emotions–Transitional objects –Development of a false selfLatter-Day Issues and Theorists: Object Relations Theory•Goals of object relations therapy(+) mature, rational resources of the mind work through immature, irrational defenses(+) see important people as they actually are(-) discrepancies between true and false selvesCurrent Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment Theory•Based on psychoanalytic idea of transference and also ethology and evolutionary theory.•John Bowlby: Attachment = basis of love, depends on innate desire for protection, closeness. An evolved biobehavioral system  safety + learning•Mary Ainsworth: Measured patterns or “styles” with “Strange Situation”. Differences strongly influenced interactions w/caregivers early life. (video:Learn@UW)–Other measures exist for adults! (questionnaire, interview)9•Internalized beliefs about self & others & expected interactions--Are others responsive and trustworthy?-- Am I Valuable/Lovable?--How can I get help? Should I get help?--Is mutual interaction/exploration possible?--Am I Competent (social + physical)?Current Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment Theory10•Beliefs and Procedural knowledge are reactivated in times of stress or danger!1. HOW to get help, comfort Activating: ↑proximity + check for responsiveness (= Feel secure or = Feel insecure) Deactivating: no response and can’t get close Hyperactivating: no response and can try to get close2. Giving help, comfort to othersAttentiveness and efforts…Current Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment TheoryCurrent Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment Theory•Secure attachment–Consistent caregiver; actively explore/shares easily soothed after reunion•Anxious-ambivalent attachment–Inconsistent caregiving; child clingy and vigilant; angry and unsoothed after reunion.•Avoidant attachment–Caregivers rebuff attempts for contact and reassurance; explore without sharing; child is only moderately overtly distressed (but high physiological tension) and ignores mother on reunion.Current Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment Theory•Attachment patterns appear self-fulfilling–Our mental models of others influence behavior–Evidence of unconscious priming of attachment!–Secure attachment is an important foundation!•Next slides summarize work with adults….–The doctrine of opposites…Relationship between attachment and adulthood relationships13Secure Attachment in Adults?•Sense of basic security, autonomy.•Can find comfort in face of threat(+) Self-coherence, Curiosity (+) intimacy + reciprocity in love(+) Compassion toward others(+) Positive emotions, (-) Negative emotion in interactionsAnxious/Preoccupied Attachmentin Adults •Lacks basic security, autonomy.•Hyperactivating strategy ↑anxiety, Many emotional highs and lows…(-) Self-coherence, Self-Esteem, Curiosity(-) Toleration of conflict, faults in partner, very jealous and unsure of partner’s loveAvoidant/Dismissing Attachmentin Adults •Lacks basic security, but is defensively self-reliant?•Deactivating strategy ↓ expressed anxiety, -but increased hostility, physical symptoms? -(-) Self-coherence, Self-Esteem, Curiosity(-) Intimacy, support, enjoyment of relationships few emotional highs, many lows…“Social Dominance Orientation” / Power concerns…Current Psychoanalytic Research: Attachment Theory•Moving to two dimensions for classification of Anxiety and avoidance –This defines 2 distinct avoidant types: dismissing (low anxiety) avoidant fearful (high anxiety) avoidant“AVOIDANT”Personality and Humanistic/Positive PsychologyThe human mind has many uniquely human and inherently subjective aspects