Mentalization

Paper Summary:

This paper describes psycho-pathologist Peter Fonagy's approach to personality development called mentalization. The paper also examines how this construct applies to affect regulation. This new theory is presented in terms of past research models. The paper explores how this approach may be applied in individual and family therapy.

Outline:
Introduction
How Fonagy's Construct of Mentalization has been Utilized in Recent Clinical Research on Personality Development and Affect Regulation
References

From the Paper:

"Peter Fonagy is a psychopathologist who has created an approach known as mentalisation. According to Brune et al (2003) the fundamental proposition of this approach is the idea that the "conscious apprehension of our mind states through introspection might be a basic, direct and probably prewired ability of our mind (Brune et al 2003)." In addition, Fonagy does not believe that knowledge of the self as a mental instrument is inherently given (Brune et al 2003, Fonagy, 1999). Instead those that believe in the concept of mentalisation assert that knowledge of the self is a constructed or developed capacity that derives from relationships forged in the early stages of life (Brune et al 2003). The core belief is that the attachment context supplies the setting in which an infant can construct or develop sensitivity to self-states, via psycho-feedback or social biofeedback (Brune et al 2003). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 226-244.
• Berger E., Gormley B., Lopez F. G., Mauricio A. M., Simko T. (2001) Adult Attachment Orientations and College Student Distress: The Mediating Role of Problem Coping Styles. Journal of Counseling and Development. Volume: 79 (4).pg. 459.
• Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachments and healthy human development. New York: Basic Books.
• Brune M., Ribbert H., Schiefenhovel W. (2003) The Social Brain: Evolution and Pathology. Wiley. Chichester, England.
• Fonagy, P. (1999) Pathological Attachments and Therapeutic Action. Paper to the Developmental and Psychoanalytic Discussion Group, American Psychoanalytic Association Meeting, Washington DC 13 May 1999. Retrieved May 16, 2006 from; http://www.dspp.com/papers/fonagy3.htm

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