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“Internal Object Relations”
J. O. Wisdom, PH.D.
December 21, 1965 Meeting
Object relations theory springs from Freud's original theory of the superego that neurosis depended upon relations to an internal representation of a parent. Object relations first appearing in Freud's theory of the Oedipus complex were further emphasized by Klein and Fairbairn. Most of Klein's ideas are seen in Freud's work, but with Klein there is a greater emphasis on certain points. In technique she stressed transference interpretation in terms of both analyst and internal objects. As regards theory she emphasized introjection and projective identification—mechanisms also described by Freud; however, one new idea found in Klein's work is that of “depressive guilt.” The concept of internal objects forms a neutral means of describing old and new theories and enables one to focus sharply on problems.
Professor Wisdom then described the world of internal objects using a model he has found useful in formulating problems and possible solutions. He divided the inner world into a nucleus of the self and surrounding inner objects (orbitals) with which the nucleus has relations. Freud's “remorse” is, thus, an attack of the nucleus by the orbitals. In Klein's theory of depression, the attack is from the nucleus to the orbitals; this difference should be testable by appropriate interpretations. This model of the inner world could help in understanding the resolution of the Oedipus complex which is unclear in classical theory. The boy could identify with the father in projective identification. Internally, there is paternal nuclear identification with destruction of sexual elements of the internal mother. In homosexuality, there may be a maternal nuclear identification and orbital identification with father. Here, the question can be raised as to where identifications go and whether they are interchangeable. Professor Wisdom believes that they are interchangeable.
In psychosis, the nucleus is under strain a