ABSTRACT
Object relations technique is a useful theory when considering the development of the sense of self within a social framework. The one-person level is reflective of the symbiotic early relationship with the primary carer. Most people will see the two figures and the stories will give an indication of what that relationship was like for the individual. There are some common stories that are produced by people with intellectual disabilities and this probably reflects the similarity of their life experiences. The three-person pictures relate to the stage of development where there is the development of relationships with at least two other people, able to function in a triangular set of relationships. The individual who has suffered a traumatic experience at the two-person level, that is, within the context of the first trusting relationship, will have extreme difficulty with trust and will seek out one-to-one interaction, not being able to cope with more complex communication.
