Deck 3: Neoanalytic Approaches

Question 1

Using the ego psychology neoanalytic view, discuss the phases of development for a child from birth through 2 years.

Answer 1

Ego psychology, a neoanalytic view, emphasizes the role of the ego in development and focuses on how the ego manages instincts, drives, and external reality. According to this perspective, a child goes through several phases of development from birth through 2 years, each of which is marked by specific challenges and accomplishments.

The first phase is the oral stage, which lasts from birth to around 18 months. During this time, the child's primary focus is on oral activities such as sucking, biting, and tasting. The ego's task is to develop a sense of trust and security, as well as the ability to delay gratification. A well-adjusted child will develop a healthy balance between dependence and independence, while an unhealthy outcome could lead to oral fixations or an overly dependent personality.

The second phase is the anal stage, which occurs from around 18 months to 3 years. During this time, the child begins to gain control over their bodily functions and experiences the challenges of toilet training. The ego's task is to develop a sense of autonomy and self-control. A well-adjusted child will learn to balance their need for independence with the demands of reality, while an unhealthy outcome could result in either excessive control or lack of self-control.

Overall, the ego psychology neoanalytic view emphasizes the importance of the ego's role in managing instincts and drives, as well as the development of a healthy sense of self and autonomy during the first two years of a child's life.

Question 2

Discuss why Melanie Klein theoretically stood apart from all of her colleagues.

Answer 2

Melanie Klein theoretically stood apart from her colleagues for several reasons. Firstly, she developed her own unique approach to psychoanalysis, known as object relations theory. This theory focuses on the early relationships between infants and their caregivers, and how these experiences shape the individual's psyche. This was a departure from the more traditional Freudian psychoanalysis, which mainly focused on the role of the unconscious and sexual drives.

Additionally, Klein's emphasis on the importance of early childhood experiences and the internal world of the individual set her apart from her colleagues. She believed that the infant's internal fantasies and anxieties played a crucial role in their development, and that these could be explored and understood through the therapeutic relationship.

Furthermore, Klein's work with children and her development of play therapy also set her apart from her colleagues. She believed that children's play was a window into their internal world, and that it was a crucial tool for understanding and working through their emotional struggles.

Overall, Melanie Klein's theoretical contributions and her focus on early childhood experiences, internal fantasies, and play therapy set her apart from her colleagues and contributed to her lasting impact on the field of psychoanalysis.

Question 3

Describe how Self Psychology is different from the other three types of neoanalytical theories.

Answer 3

Self Psychology differs from the other three types of neoanalytical theories (object relations theory, relational psychoanalysis, and interpersonal psychoanalysis) in several key ways.

First, Self Psychology places a strong emphasis on the development of the self and the importance of the self-object relationship in shaping an individual's psychological functioning. This means that Self Psychology focuses on how individuals develop a sense of self and how they maintain this sense of self through their relationships with others. In contrast, object relations theory focuses on the internal representations of relationships and the impact of early object relationships on an individual's psychological development, while relational and interpersonal psychoanalysis focus more on the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship and the interpersonal interactions between the therapist and the client.

Second, Self Psychology places a greater emphasis on the role of empathy and mirroring in the therapeutic process. This means that Self Psychologists believe that the therapist's ability to empathize with and mirror the client's experiences is essential for fostering a healthy self-development. In contrast, object relations theory focuses more on the internalization of early object relationships and the resolution of internal conflicts, while relational and interpersonal psychoanalysis focus more on the ways in which the therapeutic relationship can provide opportunities for the client to reenact and work through past relational patterns.

Overall, while Self Psychology shares some commonalities with the other neoanalytical theories, such as a focus on the impact of early relationships on psychological development, it stands out for its emphasis on the development of the self, the importance of the self-object relationship, and the role of empathy and mirroring in the therapeutic process.

Question 4

Using Jungian Typology, discuss what your personality typology would be and why.

Question 5

Of all the neoanalytical theories, which one do you most identify with and why? Which one do you least identify with and why?

Question 6

Describe the tools that neoanalysts use for assessment purposes.

Question 7

Discuss the research on neoanalytic theory and the effectiveness this approach.

Question 8

This type of theory focuses on how the early family relationships affect the type of relationships formed outside the family.

A) Ego psychology (EP)
B) Object relations (OR)
C) Self psychology (SP)
D) Relational psychoanalysis (RP)

Question 9

Winnicott recognized the importance of ________by the mother when the child is totally dependent.

A) physical holding
B) napping
C) shopping
D) emotional distance

Question 10

A key belief of object relations theorists is

A) that we are pleasure seeking rather than relationship seeking as Freud suggested
B) that we are money seeking rather than sexually seeking as Freud suggested
C) that we are relationship seeking rather than pleasure seeking as Freud suggested
D) our parents never gave us enough love and attention as children

Question 11

Winnicot believed that mothers did not have to be extraordinary in their duties to facilitate the development of good mental health in their children. His term for this was:

A) An average mother
B) A mediocre mother
C) A boring mother
D) A good enough mother

Question 12

Klein stood out from the rest of her colleagues because she was more interested in the ___ impulses of the client.

A) sexual
B) aggressive
C) passive
D) neurotic

Question 13

Which is true regarding the goal(s) of OR therapy?

A) It will give the client a coherent sense of self
B) It will bring the client closer to his/her mother
C) it will restore healthy object relations
D) a and c

Question 14

The curative factor in OR is

A) the relationship in therapy
B) the content
C) the dreams
D) the free association

Question 15

Using SP theory, if the grandiose-exhibitionistic aspects are strongest, the individual will be:

A) boring and naked
B) loud and annoying
C) assertive and ambitious
D) passive and reserved

Question 16

The need for selfobjects is

A) life-long
B) temporary
C) necessary during the first year of life
D) dependent on the client

Question 17

The relationship in SP therapy differs from traditional psychoanalysis in that:

A) the client assumes the patient role
B) it is warmer and more informal
C) the client doesn't talk much
D) drives and urges aren't discussed

Question 18

The end result of SP therapy is

A) to rebuild the self rather than gain insight or expansion of the ego's capacities
B) to repress all unpleasant childhood memories
C) to be more in touch with the sexual and aggressive aspects of one's personality
D) to have more friends

Question 19

The core of therapy in the SP model is

A) transference
B) enlightenment
C) empathy
D) disengagement

Question 20

Contemporary ego psychologists are interested in the ego's executive and synthesizing function, which includes

A) organizing information
B) adapting to the environment
C) navigating developmental challenges
D) all of the above

Question 21

RP practitioners prefer to meet with the clients more than once a week

A) because they want to earn extra money
B) to encourage the development of the countertransference
C) to encourage development of the transference relationship
D) none of the above

Question 22

The goal(s) of RP is/are to

A) give the client new ways of interacting with others
B) help them get in touch with their inner self
C) help clients change relationship patterns that are problematic
D) a and c

Question 23

Neoanalytics were about the only theorists to write extensively about

A) personality disorders
B) sexual urges
C) family dysfunction
D) aggression

Question 24

Neoanalytic approaches to counseling originated in Freud's models but then deviated slightly or significantly. Which theory seems the closest to traditional psychoanalysis?

A) Ego psychology
B) Object relations
C) Self psychology
D) Relational psychoanalysis

Question 25

Which theory seems to deviate most noticeable from traditional psychoanalysis?

A) Ego psychology
B) Object relations
C) Self psychology
D) Relational psychoanalysts

Question 26

Freud and Jung had a major falling out about what?

A) The name of the Vienna Psychoanalysis Society
B) The role of sexuality in regard to human behavior
C) The role of the ego
D) All of the above

Question 27

Jung's theory of personality is comprised of dimensions that are opposite concepts that balance each other. The dimension that allows people to understand themselves and others is:

A) Introvert/Extrovert (I/E)
B) Sensing/Intuition (S/I)
C) Thinking/Feeling (T/F)
D) Judging/Perceiving (J/P)

Question 28

The diagnostic system that has been developed for analysts is __________.

A) American Psychological Association Publication Manual
B) DSM-V
C) Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual
D) MMPI-2

Question 29

Object relations theorists see which of the following as an indication of psychological health?

A) good object relations
B) coherent sense of self
C) representations are whole objects
D) all of the above

Question 30

One particular area of assessment that an object relations therapist might be more likely to explore is _______.

A) the therapist's reaction to the client
B) their ability to visually discriminate between two different shapes
C) their ability to engage in regular meditation practices
D) their relationship to material objects in their environment

Question 31

Countertransference comes into play in relational psychology when the therapist

A) unconsciously actualizes the transference
B) consciously actualizes the transference
C) interprets transference in supervision sessions
D) allows the client to explore unconscious material

Question 32

Some recent supportive research on neoanalytic approaches has found

A) relationships between unhealthy narcissism and both overindulgent parenting and failures in parental empathy and warmth.
B) the ability of students who recalled more loving mothers to relate more intimately with friends
C) some positive outcomes for transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP)
D) all of the above