Developments in Infant Observation: The Tavistock Model

by Reid,Susan; Reid,Susan

• ISBN13: 9780415149419
• ISBN10: 041514941X
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1997-06-25
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Infant observation--carried out within the family--is a compelling approach to the study of early human development, vividly revealing the impact of intergenerational patterns of child rearing and the complex relationship between nature and nurture. It provides unique insights into the early origins of emotional disturbance and suggests ways in which healthy development can be promoted by both professional and parent, often resulting in changes to clinical practice. First practiced in the Tavistock clinic in 1948, the practice has been adopted by child psychiatrists and therapists world-wide. Developments in Infant Observation: The Tavistock Modelis a collection of papers which offers an overview of current practice, explores the concepts that have arisen from direct observation, and shows how the findings from observation are being applied in the research setting. An essential text for child psychotherapists in training and in practice, this is a book that brings alive theacademic theories of child development through thought-provoking and stimulating studies which will be of interest to any professional working with children.

Table of Contents

Notes on contributors
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction: psychoanalytic infant observation	p. 1
Beginnings: the family, the observer and the infant observation group	p. 19
Shared unconscious and conscious perceptions in the nanny-parent interaction which affect the emotional development of the infant	p. 33
The meaning of difference: race, culture and context in infant observation	p. 56
First light: knowing the infant as an actuality and as an idea	p. 89
Moments of discovery, times of learning	p. 98
Thoughts on the containing process from the perspective of infant/mother relations	p. 113
Speculations on components in the infant's sense of agency: the sense of abundance and the capacity to think in parentheses	p. 123
Psychosomatic integrations: eye and mouth in infant observation	p. 140
Interplay: sound-aspects in mother-infant observation	p. 157
Observed families revisited - two years on: a follow-up study	p. 182
Observing when infants are at potential risk: reflections from a study of five infants, concentrating on observations of a Bengali infant	p. 207
Endpiece	p. 228
Index	p. 229
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.