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paranoid-schizoid position
Definition:
Borrowed from object relations theory and adapted into Jungian thought, this position reflects an early developmental state where the psyche splits experiences into extremes of good and bad. It signifies an inability to integrate ambivalence.
Example:
Helping clients move beyond this position involves fostering integration and reducing black-and-white thinking. For example, therapy might focus on recognising the complexity of relationships rather than categorising them as wholly positive or negative.
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