The object as agent of mentalization

Part of : Γράμμα : περιοδικό θεωρίας και κριτικής ; Vol.14, No.1, 2006, pages 71-82

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71-82
Section Title:
The object of psychoanalysis - Subjectivity and culture
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Abstract:
Mentalization, our ability to understand people's behaviour in terms of mentalstates (feelings, thoughts, desires, intentions, etc.), is linked with our capacity to create symbolic representations of our inner states. From a psychodynamic point of view this is a developmental achievement related to adequate mater nalcare, more specifically to the mother's mirroring function. This proposition has been confirmed by recent experiment al evidence. A clinical case is presented showing that the mirroring function of the therapist, and not his interpretations, helped the analys and to create symbolic representations of a recent traumatic experience. Through this experience in the here and now, the analyst may be able to approach early childhood traumas (described by Peter Fonagy and others as "procedural memories") inaccessible to analytic interpretation.
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