Otto Kenberg Theories of Personality, Slides of Personality Psychology

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Otto Kernberg’s

Theories of Personality

Group Members:

Bill Snell, Group Coordinator

Name

Name

Name

Name

November 11, 2005

PY

Fall 2005

Abstract

Otto Kernberg is a renown psychoanalyst who is

largely regarded as the world’s leading expert in

the fields of pathological narcissism and

borderline personality disorder. This

presentation will explore Otto Kernberg’s work

in these two fields, as well as his work in the field

of object-relations.

Definition: An approach to

psychoanalysis that stresses

study of the interactions between

individuals, especially in

childhood.

Focuses on the

mother-infant

relationship

(especially how

the infant

internalizes it.)

“Object”

actually

means

person

Concerned with the

way in which the

self relates to

external objects at

various

developmental

stages.

Refers to the self

structure we internalize

in early childhood,

which functions as a

blueprint for

establishing and

maintaining future

relationships.

Physiological Units

Undifferentiated Self-

Object Representation

Good Self-Object Unit Bad Self-Object Unit

Good

Self

Good

Object

Bad

Self

Bad

Object

Total

Object-Relations

Integrated

Self-Concept

Stage I

Stage II

Stage III

Stage IV

Definition: A personality disorder

characterized by abrupt shifts in mood,

lack of a coherent sense of self, and

unpredictable, impulsive behavior.

Characteristics of Borderline

Personality Disorder:

• History of impulsive behavior.
• Superficial social adaptiveness.
• Brief psychotic episodes.
• Difficulties in interpersonal relationships,

marred by devaluation, manipulation, and

demandingness.

• Intense affect, usually of a strong, hostile,

or depressed nature.

Kernberg’s theories on Borderline

Personality disorder:

• Occurs during the third stage of development(the

differentiation of self from object relations).

• Kernberg postulated a theory based on a phenomenon he

describes as splitting.

• Splitting occurs when development is disrupted in the

third stage. The child responds by splitting

the aggressive self-objects away from the good self

objects

• This results in unrealistic views of others,

as they are seen only in black and white…

good or bad.

Occurs mostly

in men. Usually diagnosed

with other types of

mental

health disorder.

Characterized by an

over-involvement

with ones self and

an inordinate envy

of others.

Internal morality is weakened

because the positive aspects of

the superego are incorporated

into the self, and the prohibitive

ones are projected onto the

environment which thus becomes

critical and demanding.

Named after Narcissus, the mythological Greek

youth who fell in love with his own reflection.

Otto Kernberg and

Narcissistic Disorder

• Most current, cogent, and persuasive writer on

this subject

• He defines narcissism as “libidinal

investment of the self”

• Believes that narcissism develops

out of the cold, over-protective

mother

• Differentiated pathological

narcissism from normal narcissism.

Otto Kernberg and Obsessive-

Compulsive Personality Disorder

1) Most current, cogent, and persuasive

writer on this subject

2) He defines narcissism as “libidinal

investment of the self”

3) Believes that narcissism develops out

of the cold, over-protective mother

4) Differentiated pathological version of

narcissism from normal narcissism.

Summary:

Otto Kernberg’s work in the fields of

pathological narcissism and borderline

personality disorder has contributed to

new ways in which to treat individuals

with these disorders. His innovative

thinking has opened a new realm of

research in the field of psychoanalytic

therapy. His contributions to

psychoanalysis has made him one of the

most profound modern day thinkers.

REFERENCES

• Anderson, J. W., & Winter, J. A. (2003). Recent psychodynamic theorists and their relevance to psychobiography: Winnicott, Kernberg, and Kohut. Annual of Psychoanalysis, 31, 79-94.
• Christopher, J. C., Bickhard, M. H., & Lambeth, G. S. (2001). Otto Kernberg’s object relations theory. Theory & Psychology, 11 (5), 687-711.
• Christopher, J. C., Bickhard, M. H., & Lambeth, G. S. (1992). Splitting Kernberg: A critique of Otto Kernberg’s notion of splitting. Psychotherapy, 29 (3), 481-486.
• Loewenstein, S. (1977). An overview of the concept of narcissism. Social Casework, 58 (3), 136-
• McGinn, L. K. (1998). Interview: Otto F. Kernberg, M. D., F. A. P.A., developer of object relations psychoanalytic therapy for borderline personality disorder. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 52 (2), 191-202.
• Kernberg, O. F. (2001). Object relations, affects, and drives: Toward a new synthesis. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 21(5), 604-620.
• Kernberg’s boderline personality organization http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/bpd.html
• http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic270.htm
• http://www.bpdresourcecenter.org/what.htm
• http://www.wie.org/j17/Kern.asp?page=
• www.sci.csuhayward.edu/~dsandberg/PSYTXLECTS/PsytxLect04ObjRelts.htm
• Kernberg, Otto (2004). Aggressively, Narcissism, and Self-Destructiveness in the Psychotherapeutic Relationship: New Developments in the Psychopathology and Psychotherapy of Severe PersonalityDisorders.