Heinz Kohut Self Psychology : Awareness, Research and Resources
"...man can no more survive psychologically in a psychological milieu that does not respond empathetically to him, than he can survive physically in an atmosphere that contains no oxygen." — Heinz Kohut
Heinz Kohut's Self Psychology Research
Heinz Kohut's Self Psychology Relevance Today
Heinz Kohut's Self Psychology
"Heinz Kohut's self psychology is a psychoanalytic theory that focuses on the development and maintenance of the self. It diverges from traditional psychoanalytic theories, which emphasize drives and unconscious processes, by placing the self at the center of its understanding of human development and psychopathology. Here are some key concepts and principles of Kohut's self psychology:
- The Self: Central to Kohut's theory is the concept of the self, which he views as the core of an individual's personality. The self is responsible for one's sense of continuity, identity, and coherence.
- Selfobjects: Selfobjects are people, objects, or activities that support the self and help maintain its cohesion. These include parents, mentors, and even cultural or societal ideals. Selfobjects are crucial in the development of a healthy self and continue to play a role throughout life.
- Empathy: Kohut emphasized the importance of empathy in the therapeutic relationship. He believed that understanding the patient's experience from their perspective is essential for effective treatment.
- Mirroring, Idealizing, and Twinship Needs: Mirroring: The need to have one's talents and accomplishments acknowledged by others.
- Idealizing: The need to look up to and merge with idealized figures, typically parents or mentors.
- Twinship/Alter ego: The need to feel a sense of likeness or belonging with others.
- Narcissism: Kohut redefined narcissism, viewing it not as a pathological condition but as a normal part of human development. He distinguished between healthy narcissism, which involves a cohesive self, and pathological narcissism, which arises from selfobject failures and leads to a fragmented self.
- Self Disorders: Self disorders arise when there are significant disruptions in the relationships with selfobjects, particularly during early development. These disruptions can lead to issues such as a lack of self-cohesion, low self-esteem, and difficulties in relationships.
- Therapeutic Approach: Kohut's therapeutic approach focuses on providing the patient with a corrective emotional experience through empathic understanding and the reestablishment of selfobject functions within the therapeutic relationship. This helps to repair and strengthen the self.
In summary, Heinz Kohut's self psychology offers a framework for understanding human development and psychopathology centered around the self and its needs. It emphasizes the importance of empathic relationships and the role of selfobjects in maintaining a cohesive and healthy self." (Source: ChatGPT 2024)
Heinz Kohut's Self Psychology: An Overview The American Journal of Psychiatry
Heinz Kohut and the Future of Psychoanalysis ResearchGate
Kohut's Self Psychology and Theory of Narcissism: Some Implications regarding the Fall and Restoration of Humanity Sage Journals
Kohut's Self Psychology for a Fractured World: New Ways of Understanding the Self and Human Community John Hanwell Riker PhilPapers
Self Psychology Research Papers Academia
Heinz Kohut and the Future of Psychoanalysis ResearchGate
Kohut's Self Psychology and Theory of Narcissism: Some Implications regarding the Fall and Restoration of Humanity Sage Journals
Kohut's Self Psychology for a Fractured World: New Ways of Understanding the Self and Human Community John Hanwell Riker PhilPapers
Narcissism: Heinz Kohut’s Thoughts on Self-Love Depth Counseling Services
Psychotherapy with a Narcissistic Patient Using Kohut's Self Psychology Model NIH
Reflections on Kohut’s Theory of Self Psychology and Pathological Narcissism - Limitations and Concerns PDF Download American Psychological Association
"Selfobject" Needs in Kohut's Self Psychology: Links With Attachment, Self-Cohesion, Affect Regulation, and Adjustment ResearchGate
Psychotherapy with a Narcissistic Patient Using Kohut's Self Psychology Model NIH
Reflections on Kohut’s Theory of Self Psychology and Pathological Narcissism - Limitations and Concerns PDF Download American Psychological Association
"Selfobject" Needs in Kohut's Self Psychology: Links With Attachment, Self-Cohesion, Affect Regulation, and Adjustment ResearchGate
Self Psychology Research Papers Academia
Self Psychology as A Bridge Between Existential-Humanistic Psychology and Psychoanalysis Stephan A Tobin, Ph.D. Doctor Tobin
The Emerging Paradigm of Relational Self Psychology: An Historical Perspective Taylor & Francis Online
Self Psychology in a Pluralistic World: A Position Paper Taylor and Francis Online
Some Distinguishing Features of Heinz Kohut's Self Psychology PDF Download Routledge
Some Distinguishing Features of Heinz Kohut's Self Psychology PDF Download Routledge