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Psychological Theories, Freudian, Object Relational, And The Main Components Of Attachment And Object Relations Theory

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In this paper, the author will delineate the following developmental theories, Freudian, Object Relational, and the main components found in Attachment. The main theorists that will be addressed include, Sigmund Freud, John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth, and some work of Melanie Klein. The author will provide a detailed explanation on attachment and object relations theory and how it can be incorporated with a client who is suffering from Anorexia Nervosa and how the impact of development correlates with this specific clientele. As well as, examples of therapeutic interventions utilized in a clinical setting will be explored through the course of this paper.
According to Freud’s conception, there are five stages in psychosexual development, …show more content…

During the latency stage, the child/client begins to imitate their behaviors, mannerisms, speech, and values of culture. For instance, this will initially allow the child to identify with their primary sexual characteristics towards the corresponding parent, leading to increased sexual desires and behaviors. Sexual latency begins from the age of six and lasts approximately five years. The child begins to associate with the same sex orientation and is able to distinguish appropriate behaviors in society, creating the superego. The genital phase begins from the ages of eleven to eighteen, which comprises of increased pleasure from masturbation and is experienced more frequently than the anal stage. Freud rationalized that all individuals are homosexual creatures; however, individuals do not experience homosexual behaviors or relationships. Throughout this stage, individuals will begin to formulate relationships with the opposite sex, which supersedes further development of the superego leading to individuation and autonomy (Garcia, 1995).
In the next sections, the author will discuss the framework of attachment theory by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth since both theorists worked collaboratively with attachment styles and object relations theory. John Bowlby coined the theory of attachment based on the object relations

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