Are "primitive" object relations really preoedipal?
Developmental models of object relations attempt to explain severe character pathology strictly in terms of preoedipal fixations and regressions. While aspects of the object relations of severe character disorders do appear to be preoedipal, developmental research suggests that others are preadolescent, adult, or abnormal, but not developmentally primitive.
Westen
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Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009769:Object Attachment; D009813:Oedipus Complex; D010553:Personality Development; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory