Paranoid-Schizoid Position:

The paranoid-schizoid position in Melanie Klein’s object relations theory refers to two primary characteristics: a paranoid fear of annihilation and a schizoid defense mechanism of splitting. The infant fears being destroyed by the aggressive impulses it projects onto an external objects/parts of objects (the mother/the mother’s breast), leading to feelings of being persecuted. To cope, the infant splits its objects into all – good and all – bad versions (good mommy, bad mommy) and projects the bad feelings out (splitting). The position following paranoid-schizoid is called the depressive position.