title: Winnicott goes to the movies: the false self in Ordinary People.
abstract: Winnicott's theories of development, while appearing metaphorical and impressionistic, actually offer a remarkably consistent explanation for pathological character formation as an outcome of environmental failure. He suggested that faulty mothering can lead to a chain of disturbing internal psychic events that necessitate a reorganization in the child. A major pathological resolution is the formation of a false self and false self bonds. Winnicott's recommendations for treating the crippling effects of the early traumata proceed logically from his concepts of developmental pathology. The film, Ordinary People, offers a way of understanding the tragedy and then the hope stemming from the application of Winnicott's concepts.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009040:Motion Pictures; D010553:Personality Development; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011599:Psychopathology; D012649:Self Concept; D013405:Suicide