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Kleinian

Kleinian

1 9.9
Connected with Melanie Klein's psychoanalytic ideas
  • adjective
  • /klaɪniən/
  • Specialized
: kleiniano
  • This Kleinian view of development provides, according to Money-Kyrle, a basis for an account of the development of different types of "moral character"—specifically, of the democratic and authoritarian characters.

Examples

  • In Kleinian terms, it is from the outside that both "good" and "bad" objects arrive, objects which might or might not be capable of providing satisfaction, which might just as predictably be unpleasant or frustrating.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The Kleinian approach emphasizes the significance of early childhood experiences in shaping personality.

  • Like Holly, I tend to characterize aesthetic experiences of many kinds in Kleinian terms.

    Academic text (2007)
  • According to the Kleinian psychoanalytic theory of "projective identification," the self projects forbidden aggression into an external object that must be controlled.

    Blog text (1)
  • Where Kleinian psychology suggests the infant's agency in this process by imputing to the infant "introjection" of the mother and her values, Bowlby locates agency in the mother:

    Academic text (2012)
  • Alford's interpretation of Kleinian object relations focuses on the self's growing awareness of the other, and eventually, of the other as both a "good" object capable of meeting one's needs as a dependent and developing infant, and a "bad" object, to whom one attributes the frustration of unmet needs, including the need to relieve pain or gratify desires.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Many therapists use Kleinian methods to understand the unconscious motivations of their patients.

  • She was trained in Kleinian theory, which focuses on the impact of internal objects on human behavior.

Surface Forms

Kleinian positive

Morphology

Kleinian = Klein (semi-transparent) = Klein + ian

Formed by adding '-ian' to the surname 'Klein'; the morphological process is regular but the psychoanalytic sense requires knowledge of Melanie Klein and her theories.

Etymology

Kleinian comes from the psychoanalyst Melanie Klein, who wrote about young children's feelings and early mind development. So a Kleinian approach is 'based on Melanie Klein's ideas' in therapy.