It comes from Freud's idea that other people become the targets or objects of our sexual desires/drive. The term means interpersonal relationships.  Object relation theorists focus on these relationships and are interested in how these deep involvements with other are played out in an unconscious fantasy.

Mahler's term for the process of gaining independence from early symbiotic unions with caregivers and establishing a coherent sense of self and others.

A contemporary derivative of psychoanalytical theory, championed by Heinz Kohut, which is concerned with how people find unity and cohesiveness in life.

4 Identity Statuses

Identity Achievement

One of Marcia's four statuses, referring to the person who has explored various identity options and successfully made commitments to realistic identity goals.

4 Identity Statuses

Moratorium

One of Marcia's for identity statuses, referring to the person who is currently exploring various identity options but has not yet made commitments.

4 Identity Statuses

Foreclosure

One of Marcia's four identity statuses, referring to the person who has not explored identity options but has rather made commitments to identity goals and outcomes that arose from childhood and remained unquestioned.

4 Identity Statuses

Identity Diffusion

One of Marcia's four identity statuses, referring to the person who has not yet explored identity options and who has not made commitments.

Intimacy Status

Parallel to Marcia's concept of identity status, referring to the characteristic quality of a person's interpersonal relationships and commitments at a given point in time.  At least for statuses have been identified: intimate, preintimate, stereotyped relationships, and isolate.

The person works at developing mutual personal relationships and has several close friends with whom he or she discusses personal matters.  He or she is involved in a committed love relationship. This sexual relationship is mutually satisfactory.  the person is able to express both angry and affectionate feelings in the relationship. The person is generally interested in others.

Intimacy Status Table 9.4 p. 361

Preintimate

The person has dated but is not involved in a committed relationship. He or she is aware of the possibilities of relating intimately with another. The person has close friendships.  The person has respect for the integrity of others, openness, responsibility, and mutuality.  He or she feels conflicted about commitment, and love relationships may tend to be ambivalent.

Stereotyped

The person ranges from moderately constricted and immature type of individual who has yet to go beyond superficial dating relationships to the playboy/playgirl type.  Generally he or she has several friends; however, these relationships lack significant depth. He or she may date regularly but generally does not get involved.

The isolating person lacks enduring personal relationships. Though he or she may have a few peer acquaintances seen infrequently, he or she rarely initiates social contact and rarely dates.  The anxiety accompanying close personal contact forces the person to withdraw into isolation. The person tends to be anxious and immature and generally lacking in assertiveness and social skills. The isolated individual may present him- or herself as bitter and mistrustful or smug and self-satisfied.

4 types of Generativity Table 9.6 p. 363

Biological

Begetting, bearing, and nursing offspring

Generative object: the infant

Nurturing and disciplining offspring, initiating them into a family's traditions.

Generative object: the child

Teaching skills--the "body" of a culture--to successors, implicitly passing on the symbol system in which the skills are embedded,

Generative object: the apprentice, the skill

Creating, renovating, and conserving a symbol system--the "mind" of a culture--explicitly passing it on to the successor.

Generative object: the disciple, the culture