Otto Kernberg’sTheories of Personality

Group Members:Bill Snell, Group Coordinator

Name2Name3Name4Name5

November 11, 2005PY432

Fall 2005

AbstractOtto 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.

Introduction to Otto Kernberg

Born in Germany

in 1928

Earned his medical& psychoanalytic degree

In Chile in 1958

Has spoken in most every

country with psychoanalytic

presence.

Author of 13books &

dozens of researchpapers

Former President of The International Psychoanalytic Association.

(Founded By Sigmund Freud)

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.

Kernberg’s Stage Theory of Object Kernberg’s Stage Theory of Object RelationsRelations

• Stage I: Normal Autism (0-1 month).• Stage II: Normal Symbiosis (2mos – 6-8mos).

– There are two clusters of object relations units; good self-object representations, and bad.

• Stage III: Differentiation of self from object relations (6-8 mos – 18-36 mos).– The good self-object differentiates into a good self and a good

object, same for the bad.• Stage IV: Integration of self representations and object

representations and development of higher level intrapsychic object relations-derived structures (36+mos – Oedipal period).– The good and bad self representations are united into a definite

self system.

Physiological Units

Undifferentiated Self-Object Representation

Bad Self-Object UnitGood Self-Object Unit

GoodSelf

Good Object

BadSelf

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.

Given it’s name because people with this disorder seemed to be on the border between neurosis and psychosis

Treatment options include general healthcare facilities, specializedPrograms, and support services.

Borderline personality disorder rarely occurs alone, and commonly occurs with other disorders,

like substance abuse or depression.

Reported to be present in 1-2%of the general population.

Closely related to suicides, self harms, and deaths.

More common in males than in females

Characteristics of Borderline Characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder: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.

Definition: A personality disorder characterized by adoption of an inflated self-image and demands for

attention and admiration.

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 Named after Narcissus, the mythological Greek youth who fell in love with his own reflection.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.

Contributing factors to the formation of Contributing factors to the formation of NarcissismNarcissism

A deficiency in any of the below may lead to some narcissistic problems.

• The nature of internalized object representations.

• The satisfaction of basic physical and emotional needs.

• Love supplies

• Esteem supplies

• The supergo and its critical functions

• The nature of the ego ideal

• Reality achievements

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: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.

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REFERENCESREFERENCES• 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

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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-

142.• McGinn, L. K. (1998). Interview: Otto F. Kernberg, M. D., F. A. P.A., developer of object

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• 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=2• 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.