The "paranoid-schizoid position" is a concept from Melanie Klein, a psychoanalyst known for her work on child development. It describes an early stage of psychological development where an infant perceives the world in a fragmented way, often dividing experiences into good and bad. This position is characterized by intense feelings of anxiety and paranoia, as the child struggles to manage conflicting emotions and fears of abandonment. In this position, the infant's relationships are often seen as either ideal or threatening, leading to a lack of integration in their understanding of others. This can result in defensive mechanisms, such as projection, where the child attributes their own negative feelings to others. Understanding this position helps in recognizing the roots of certain emotional difficulties in later life.