According to Abraham's Object Relations Theory, what are 'objects'?

According to Abraham's Object Relations Theory, what are 'objects'?

• A. Objects are only people
• B. Objects can be people, animals or things
• C. Objects are only symbolic representations
• D. Objects are internal images only

Answer: (B)

In object relations theory, objects are the targets of our early emotional relations that become internalized mental representations. They aren’t limited to actual people; the term can refer to people, animals, or things that we form attachments to and carry inside us as patterns for relating to others. These internalized images guide how we perceive and interact in later relationships. So the best choice recognizes that objects can be real beings or inanimate/nonhuman referents that carry emotional significance. The other options are too narrow, either restricting objects to only people, to internal images, or to symbolic representations alone.

In object relations theory, objects are the targets of our early emotional relations that become internalized mental representations. They aren’t limited to actual people; the term can refer to people, animals, or things that we form attachments to and carry inside us as patterns for relating to others. These internalized images guide how we perceive and interact in later relationships. So the best choice recognizes that objects can be real beings or inanimate/nonhuman referents that carry emotional significance. The other options are too narrow, either restricting objects to only people, to internal images, or to symbolic representations alone.