Object-relations theory and family relationships in psychological development

Personality

In psychology, the object-relations theory relates to human beings and their relationship to others. The main premise of the theory is that family relations form the foundation of all relationships in the individual's life. This is true both for health and unhealthy relationships to the self and others. To some extent I agree with the critique of the theory, in that the primary family unit cannot fully account for all pathologies and/or relationships within the individual's life. Indeed, this is a rather simplified view of the individual's development process.

A also agree with the critique in that modern psychology is too focused on the importance of individuality in favor of a theory that also includes the individual's mutual relationships within the primary family network, the extended family, and also in society as a whole.

While it is true that the individual primarily develops through a process of separation from the mother and family unit, the object-relations theory appears to ignore the fact that this separation also entails the individual's entering a wider social relationship with the extended family and with society as a whole. As the individual grows, the extended family becomes an increasing part of his or her life. At a certain age, the individual goes to preschool or primary school, and thus becomes part of society as a whole. This is where the primary relationship with the first family unit plays its most important role.