Otto Kernberg's object relations theory - A metapsychological critique

A conceptual and empirical critique of Kemberg's influential object relatio ns theory is presented as a case study of the limitations of structural ont ological presuppositions in accounting for psychological processes. A summa ry overview is provided of Kernberg's systems model, the process of interna lization, his developmental stages, and his conception of the borderline pe rsonality organization. Then a detailed critique considers: (1) the foundat ions of Kernberg's model in affective memory and units of internalized obje ct relations; (2) the principles of construction underlying his development al processes; (3) the resulting product of these processes, his structural model and theory of the borderline personality organization; and (4) the re lationship between his metapsychology and his clinical theory. Suggestions are made for how process models of personality and psychopathology can redr ess the problems with structural accounts.