The Main Theoretical Approaches to Cycloid Pathology 

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CHAPTER 3 THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF AND OBJECT REPRESENTATION AND ITS AFFECTIVE VISSISITUDES AS ARTICULATED THROUGH THE LENS OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL STRUCTURALIST PSYCHOANALYTIC MODEL (DSPM)

Introduction

The development of self and object representation holds special meta-theoretical status in psychoanalytic theory, especially since the inception of the object relations school of thought. This chapter explores the ideas of various theorists on representational development and the complex interrelationship between self, object and affect. This is done through the following models and theories:

1. The developmental structuralist model of Greenspan (1989a, 1989b)
2. Roy Mendelsohn’s views on development as reflected in his four volume works (1987a, 1987b, 1987c, 1987d)
3. The clinical and meta-theoretical theories of Blatt and Ford (1994), Otto Kernberg (1976), James F. Masterson (1972, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2004,2005) and Donald B. Rinsley (1982, 1989)

Psychoanalytic and developmental scholars seem to accentuate either the self, object or affect realities of mental life. Although it is not the aim of the chapter to review the various theorists it is important to trace the thread of representational development as both structural and dynamic interface starting between mother and child. According to Modell (1993), psychoanalytic theories seem ‘split’ between models that view the self as a psychic structure versus those (especially modern psychoanalytic models) that view the self as a dynamic, and intermingling aspect of consciousness (Tronick, 2007). Epistemologically, they pose interesting views and methodological, if not clinical, challenges. This chapter aims to articulate and extrapolate the self-object-affect tie as endopsychic reality within a dynamic vital relationship with maternal other. Using ego-psychological terminology, it will follow a chronological layer by layer reality, influencing both unconscious and conscious processes, through five stages of separation-individuation (SI) (Colarusso, 2000). The dominant anti-structure argument proposes that layer by layer reasoning should not necessitate a ‘structure-only’ approach, but can be viewed as an interactive evolving patterning that involves the various biological and psychological potentials of the dyad.
Given the stage debate it is also the contention that, by definition, SI in later stages of life are not ‘exact’ replicas of previous SI sagas,¹ although internal structure and endopsychic reality is argued to play a defining role in the assimilation and accommodation of life challenges and strains (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). Succinctly stated, the complex reality that is self, object and affect serve as a foundation for continual psychological development. The observations of the scholar and clinician Margaret Mahler remind us that it is a difficult task to conceptualise any development per se, as it is such a personal experience and thus not always clear and accessible to the observer. She argues that it is unfortunately failures that alert theorists and support the building of developmental theory:
The development of the sense of the self is an eminently personal internal experience that is difficult, if not impossible, to trace to its beginnings by observational studies or by reconstruction in psychoanalysis. It reveals itself by its failures much more readily than by its normal variations. (Mahler & McDevitt, 1982, p.827; italics added)

Self, Object and Affect in Psychological Development: A Representational View Introduction

Research focussing on self, object and its affective vicissitudes has experienced tremendous growth and support from various schools of psychology (Blatt & Lerner, 1983, 1983; Kissen, 1996; Kwawer et al., 1980; Lerner, 1991; Masterson, 1972, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2005). As stated in chapter 1, empirically-driven psychoanalytic approaches to the self, object and affect constellations allow scientifically-validated options when conceptualising the internal world of various patient populations. The development of a consolidated and cohesive sense of self in relation to a stable and satisfying relationship with another, and in which subjective and objective states of mind can be modulated and experienced in reflexive fashion, remains a complex and elusive process. The process is influenced by variables such as constitution, temperament, family dynamics, environmental realities (e.g. war and poverty), gender, birth order, and so forth. Each factor plays a pivotal role in the development of the personality. In spite of this, a focus on developmental psychoanalysis and character-structure work in which self, object and affect units are actively explored and articulated, facilitates greater understanding of patients’ mental functioning. This is evident in the work of Blatt (1983,1992, 1994) Mendelsohn (1987a, 1987b, 1987c, 1987d), Kernberg (1976), Masterson (1972, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2005), Rinsley (1982, 1989) and Greenspan (1989a, 1989b). All these authors attempted to develop unique conceptual frameworks to track and articulate the basic units of intrapsychic structure and its developmental pathways in terms of stages of self, object and affect differentiation. Being both clinical psychoanalysts and theorists, they faithfully extracted, debated, and applied various developmental and structural concepts inherent in the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud, Margaret Mahler, Edith Jacobson, Ronald Fairbairn, and Melanie Klein to understand the process of normality and its deviance. Table 3.1 and figure 3.1 illustrate the debate to follow.² Given the structuralist work inherently supported by most metatheorists, the work of Greenberg (1989a, 1989b) is of special theoretical value as he successfully integrated ego development with the development of representational life.
It can be argued, and rightly so, that the theorists used in this study adultomorphisise the infant. However, their unique contributions, even with their limitations, support greater access to and understanding of even the most severe cases of pathology, both qualitatively and quantitatively³. Separation-Individuation (SI) could also be viewed a lifelong process that reflects the adaptation of distancing from the lost internal symbiotic mother and thus the ideal state of self. The process of a maturing representational system is a lifelong reality that can be artificially defined as encompassing five developmental stages (Colarusso, 2000).
Synoptically, and according to Colarusso (2000), the first phase of SI can be conceptualised in traditional Mahlerian fashion. This spans the first three years of life and states that the main task of the infant and toddler is the development (through differentiation and individuation) of self and object constancy. The second phase of individuation entails the developmental process of adolescence and includes the maturing body, the development of sexuality as part of the self-structure, the changing relationship between the sexes, and the capacity for cognitive abstraction. The latter phase sees the beginning of the capacity for mature adult love.
In the third phase of individuation, young adulthood (ages 20 to 40), the differentiation from primary objects is supported by the reality of new and intimate attachments with others through courtship, marriage, work and children. These events shape self and object representation. The first signs of ageing must also be incorporated into the individual’s self-representation. The fourth phase of SI, middle adulthood (ages 40 to 60), is characterised by a growing awareness of mortality as individuals encounter dying parents, children growing up and leaving home, changes in job realities and so forth. According to Colarusso (2000),
In addition to real and contradictory experiences of being left by growing children and dying parents while fusing with new objects such as grandchildren, students, and mentees, midlife individuals must mournfully let go of youthful aspects of the self and replace them with the (in many ways more gratifying) realization that the midlife self can exercise the greatest degree of autonomy, competence, power, and relatedness to others possible in the human life cycle. (p. 1471)
Finally, during the fifth phase of SI, late adulthood (60 and beyond), there is a growing awareness of ‘leaving’ rather than being left, as individuals face their own death. Despite the pain this entails, this developmental phase also sees a greater awareness of becoming part of loved ones, the community and greater culture/humanity at large, as well as respect and need for this process. Theoretically, the SI process can be summarised as developing a cohesive, flexible and integrated sense of self (an introjective developmental line, according to Blatt and Ford, 1994) in relationship with a differentiated other where mature interdependence exists (anaclitic developmental line, according to Blatt & Ford, 1994).

Abstract 
Keywords 
Acknowledgements 
Dedication 
List of Tables 
List of Figures 
VOLUME I THEORY, RESEARCH AND RESULTS
Chapter 1 The Area, Aim and Rationale of Current Research
Introduction
Historical Antecedents
Reasons for Current Research
Definition of Central Concepts
Internal Configuration, Cycloid, Rorschach Methodology and the Developmental Structural Model
Self-, Self-Representation, Object and Object Representation
The Need for Psychoanalytic-Focused Research
The Psychological Sequelae and Suffering of Cycloid Patients
The Discontented Clinician
Greater Acceptability in the Use of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (Cs) and the Resulting Scientific-Based Interventions
Continual Cs Conceptualization of Cycloid Pathology
Aim and Value of the Current Research
Summary and Chapter Overview
Chapter 2 The Main Theoretical Approaches to Cycloid Pathology 
Introduction to Psychiatric Nosology
Clinical Signs and Symptoms: Diagnosis and Subtypes
Epidemiology, Course and Prognosis
Personality, Trait and Character Studies
Psychoanalytic Theories of ‘Affective Disorders’
Introduction
The Early Drive Theory Period: The Work of Abraham, Freud, Lewis, English, and Fenichel
The Ego-Psychological Approach of Edith Jacobson
Neo-Freudian Revisionists: The Work of Melanie Klein and Donald Meltzer
The Object Relations and Self Psychology Perspectives: Harry Guntrip, Galatzer-Levy, and J.F. Masterson
Dynamic System Theorists
Summary and Chapter Overview
Chapter 3 The Development of Self and Object Representation and its Affective Vicissitudes as Articulated Through the Lens of the Developmental Structuralist Psychoanalytic
Model (DSPM)
Introduction
Chapter 4 Research Trends in Cycloid Pathology and the Self-Other-Affect Model of I.B.Weiner
Introduction
Exner’s Comprehensive System Psychology and Previous Rorschach Research
Previous Rorschach Research
The Rorschach as Representational Test
Research Design
Chapter 5 Statistical Results of the Cycloid Sample
Introduction
Interrater Reliability
Demographic Variables of the Sample: Sample and Participant Characteristics
Chapter 6 Psychoanalytic Exploration of the Neglected Self of the Cycloid 320
Introduction
Summary of Most Relevant Statistical Information
The DSPM and a Developmental Approach to the Modulating of Affect, Viewing the Self and Relating to Others
Cycloid Developmental Difficulties
Possible Therapeutic Focus
Areas for Further Research
Limitations of the Current Study and Further Recommendations
Conclusion
References
VOLUME II ETHICAL CLEARANCE, PATIENT PROTOCOLS, PATIENT LOCATION SHEETS, GROUP STATISTICS, INTERRATER DATA AND RIAP REPORTS
Appendix
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