in the psychoanalytic theory of Melanie Klein, this refers to an introjected part-object that is perceived as having negative qualities (see introjection). It represents an early object representation that derives from splitting of the object into parts containing negative qualities (i.e., the bad object) and positive qualities (i.e., the good object).
BAD OBJECT: "A person with the bad object mentality, likely splits wholes into parts, then labels them with a specifier - good or bad."
Cite this page: N., Sam M.S., "BAD OBJECT," in PsychologyDictionary.org, April 7, 2013, https://psychologydictionary.org/bad-object/ (accessed March 21, 2023).
