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With object relations theory and the concept of internalized object relations as focus and theme, Kernberg's central objective in this volume is to delineate the psychoanalytic conceptualization of dyadicstage psychic development, and to demonstrate its bearing on later developmental stages, on couple and group relationships, and on psychopathology and the theory of treatment. Contemporary object relations theory, as distilled and defined by Kernberg, is an integral part of contemporary ego psychology, and his application of it has the second objective of integrating rather than selectively revising or discarding the clinical and metapsychological concepts of traditional Freudian theory (pp. ix and 17-18).
In the first of the volume's four parts, Kernberg approaches these objectives through a review and critical examination of object relations theory. In addition to summarizing the clinical and research findings that led him to his present theoretical stance, he discusses the historically early concepts of Melanie Klein and Fairbairn, and the more recent concepts of Jacobson and Mahler. He notes that his developmental view is in basic accord with the views of Jacobson and Mahler, and points mainly to positive correlations, and to some differences, between Mahler's and his developmental schema.
In part two, an updated review of normal and pathological narcissism in middle age precedes exposition of object relations theory as it bears on psychoanalytic technique and the theory of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Kernberg states his preference for a cohesive, holistic psychoanalytic technique and indicates that his theoretical addition applies both to presystemic (dyadic stage) and systemic (oedipal stage) pathology. His theory of psychoanalytic psychotherapy is presented with quite precise clinical indications, objectives, and techniques, and is compared with the psychoanalytic method and technique.