Heinz Kohut founded which theory?

• A. Self Psychology
• B. Object Relations psychology
• C. Psychoanalytic art therapy
• D. Humanistic art therapy

Answer: (A)

Heinz Kohut founded Self Psychology, a psychoanalytic theory that centers on the self and how it develops through empathic relationships. In Self Psychology, empathic attunement from caregivers—often described as selfobjects that mirror, idealize, or provide support—helps a person build a cohesive sense of self and stable self-esteem. When these empathic experiences are present, the self remains well integrated; when they are missing or inadequate, narcissistic vulnerabilities and a fragile sense of self can emerge. Therapy aims to repair these selfobject needs by offering empathic understanding and mirroring to restore self-cohesion. This approach is distinct from broader Object Relations theories, which focus more generally on internalized relationships, and from art-therapy approaches that are framed as modalities rather than Kohut’s specific theory.