Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

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Which theorist is NOT associated with object relations theory?

  1. Harry Stack Sullivan

  2. Melanie Klein

  3. W.R.D. Fairbairn

  4. D.W. Winnicott

The correct answer is: Harry Stack Sullivan

Harry Stack Sullivan is primarily associated with interpersonal theory rather than object relations theory. His work focused on the importance of interpersonal relationships and how they influence personality development and behavior. Sullivan emphasized the role of social interactions and the impact of the environment on individual psychological processes, which differ significantly from the core principles of object relations theory, where the central focus is on internalized relationships with significant others, typically beginning in infancy. In contrast, Melanie Klein, W.R.D. Fairbairn, and D.W. Winnicott are all key figures in object relations theory. Klein introduced concepts such as the paranoid-schizoid position and the depressive position, which explore the internal conflicts between love and hate in early relationships. Fairbairn expanded on these ideas by examining the impact of childhood attachments on adult relationships, highlighting the ways these internalized objects shape our interactions. Winnicott contributed by emphasizing the importance of the "good enough mother" and the role of transitional objects in a child's development, which are also pivotal themes in object relations theory. Thus, Sullivan's focus on interpersonal dynamics sets him apart from the other theorists associated with object relations.