Symposium on object relations theory and love. Object concept and object choice.

Any considerations of object relations theory and love requires a clear understanding of how the term, object relations, is used. In this contribution the concept of the object as a mental representation is emphasized. Developmentally, the evolution of the object cannot be separated from the vicissitudes of the drives. Sensorimotor experience is metaphorically assimilated in terms of pleasure-unpleasure components. Since the object concept develops in this context, it is inextricably linked to the vicissitudes of the drives. In later experience, these become organized in terms of persistent unconscious fantasies that ultimately affect object choice and patterns of loving. These are multiple determined and are influenced by contributions from all levels of development, predominantly integrated under the aegis of the oedipus complex.