Kleinian Theory

Kleinian Theory, developed by psychoanalyst Melanie Klein, focuses on the early emotional development of children and how their experiences shape their adult psyche. It emphasizes the importance of fantasized relationships with caregivers, particularly the mother, and the internalized conflicts that arise from love and hate. Klein proposed that these early experiences influence how individuals relate to others and manage anxiety throughout their lives. Key concepts include "positions," representing different emotional states and coping mechanisms, and "object relations," which describe how we perceive and interact with important figures in our lives.