| Abstract: | Juxtaposes psychoanalytic thought with recent infant research to develop an understanding of the term mental representation. A definition of mental representations as unconscious organizing structures of interactions is proposed as a comprehensive integration of the various points of view on this issue. The psychoanalytic view of representations is presented, along with revisions suggested by extensions of theory within psychoanalysis and developmental research. Several points of divergence are discussed, including the issue of self–object differentiation, the caretaker–child dyad as the focus of analysis, and the capacity within the first year for emergent structures that allow the infant to develop interpersonal expectations. Influences of Piaget's theory of representation on each body of thought are also addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
