Heather Brewster, Narissa Hutchinson, Jillian Robbins, & Josh Tiegreen

Overview• Historical Antecedents• Zeitgeist• Professional Obstacles/Struggles• Theories and Ideas• Data on Theories and Ideas• Strengths and Weaknesses• Influence on Events and Ideas

Historical Antecedents

• Psychoanalysis– Idea of unconscious

• Sigmund Freud– His book, On Dreams– Idea of Oedipus Complex

Zeitgeist

• Post WWI Germany– Movement of Behaviorism

• WWII Europe– Genocide- anti-Semitism

• Field of Psychology– Psychoanalysis– Behaviorism– Gestalt

Professional Obstacles/Struggles

• Female

• Divorced

• Jewish

• Mood Disorder

• Conflict with Anna Freud

Theories & Ideas

• Play Therapy– Free Play = Free Association

• Dramatization of fantasies• Symbolism in play• Conflict resolution

– The Therapy Setting• Furniture• Toys

Theories & Ideas• Object Relations Theory

– Superego = introjected parental figure• Parental Body Parts• Combined Parental Figure• Intercourse• Individuals

– Depressive Position– Today’s Object Relations Theory

Data on Theories & Ideas

• Based on Freud– Breaking away from the pack

• Case Studies– Adults- Idea of fantasy

– Children- importance of ego development• Play therapy

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Strengths– Importance of early

development

– Direct treatment of children

– Formation of play therapy

– Use of free association

• Weaknesses– Lack of controlled

studies

– Theories based on personal, clinical experience

– Lack of agreement with fellow psychoanalysis

Influence on Events & Ideas

• Systemized Direct Treatment of Children• Initiation of Child Psychoanalysis • Emphasized Importance of Interpersonal

Relationships in Psychoanalysis • Object Relations Theory •  Psychoanalytic theory

• Kleinian theory is still influential as a

distinctive strain of psychoanalytic theory.

SummaryTrue or False

Melanie Klein was a black woman Melanie Klein was a black woman who’s own husband’s work in who’s own husband’s work in psychoanalysis is greater than her psychoanalysis is greater than her own.own.

FALSE!!!! Melanie was Jewish and the FALSE!!!! Melanie was Jewish and the difference between her and many other difference between her and many other women of the time is that she is known women of the time is that she is known because of HER work and only hers. because of HER work and only hers.

SummaryTrue or False

Melanie Klein and Anna Freud were best friends and Melanie Klein and Anna Freud were best friends and that is the reason why Freud influenced a lot of her that is the reason why Freud influenced a lot of her work.work.

False!!! Melanie and Anna were not False!!! Melanie and Anna were not friends at all in fact they had two friends at all in fact they had two completely different ideas for child completely different ideas for child psychology.psychology.

SummaryTrue or False

Play therapy and object relation theory emerged from her Play therapy and object relation theory emerged from her efforts.efforts.

TRUE!!! And FALSE!! Melanie TRUE!!! And FALSE!! Melanie Klein did play a huge role in Klein did play a huge role in developing and contributing developing and contributing ideas to both the object ideas to both the object relation theory and play relation theory and play therapy.therapy.