Interpersonal World Of The Infant: A View From Psychoanalysis And Developmental Psychology [Hardcover]

Daniel N. Stern (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0465034039 | ISBN-13: 978-0465034031 | Publication Date: October 21, 1985 | Edition: 1

How do babies experience the world around them? How do they bring together the varied sights, sounds, and sensations to create a social environment? These questions have long intrigued students of human development, but until recently we have had to rely on adult memories to imagine what infants think and feel. Now, in this brilliant book, famed infant psychiatrist Daniel Stern brings together the exciting new research on infants and the insights of psychoanalysis to offer an original theory of how human beings create a sense of themselves and their relation to others.Unlike those who view early development as a gradual process of separation and individuation, Stern argues that infants differentiate themselves almost from birth and then progress through increasingly complex modes of relatedness. He describes this process in fascinating detail, vividly showing how infants and their caregivers communicate and share their experience. Stern challenges not only the traditional developmental sequence but also the notion that certain tasks are confined to infancy. Attachment, trust, and dependency are clinical issues throughout life, he contends—a concept that has important implications for psychoanalytic practice.Elegantly argued and rich in new insights, The Interpersonal World of the Infant is certain to be welcomed as a major contribution to our understanding of infancy and of psychological development throughout the life cycle.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Daniel N. Stern, M.D., is a professor of psychology at the University of Geneva and adjunct professor of psychiatry at Cornell University Medical Center–New York Hospital. An expert in the mother-infant relationship, he is the author of The Interpersonal World of the Infant and The Diary of a Baby.Nadia Bruschweiler-Stern, M.D., is a pediatrician and child psychiatrist in Geneva, Switzerland. Alison Freeland, a freelance writer and the author of The Journey to Motherhood, currently works as a reporter for Vermont Public Radio.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1 edition (October 21, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465034039
• ISBN-13: 978-0465034031
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, April 5, 2008

By 

Luisa V. Nayhouse (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Interpersonal World Of The Infant A View From Psychoanalysis And Developmental Psychology (Paperback)

This is an excellent book that outlines the infant to caregiver bond in human development. Dr. Stern challenges the traditional developmental sequence and the erroneous views that certain fundamental attachment patterns are confined to infancy alone. This is a great book that understands how scaffolding works in establishing patterns of relationship that can last a lifetime. The fundamental basics that make our human bonds to one another pleasurable and fulfilling are rooted in the establishment of secure attachments, trust and the creation of balance in human giving and receiving. He outlines what can go 'right' and what can go 'wrong' in these early bonds. His focus on loving and attuned presence, reading cues of overstimulation, or understimulation, captures the essence and joy that is both given and received when caretaking is done well or as has been described elsewhere, is 'good enough'. A great read and guide also for parents and clinicians, a great step in helping to build empathy and awareness about this critical period in human development. Highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Foundational Reading, August 1, 2009

By 

Walton Ehrhardt (Mandeville, Louisiana USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Interpersonal World Of The Infant A View From Psychoanalysis And Developmental Psychology (Paperback)

I lost my earlier edition in Hurricane Katrina. This book is must reading for every serious student of human development,including parents and professionals who work with people of all ages. The text describes years of infant observation and developmental research in a highly-readable format. As a psychoanalytic-psychotherapist, it is a continuous reference work, which is why I chose to replace it in my professional library.

In my opinion it is "must" reading for teachers, clergy, counselors, child care specialists, and medical professionals who work directly in serving people. Why? Because human beings are relationally-organized in their developmental history, and this wonderful text outlines the foundations.

Having been on the forefront of clinical work with traumatized survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (2005), I know on the basis of my own first-hand experience how totally disorganizing adult onset trauma affects people; the ability of the core-self to recover from such wounding becomes the significant issue. The "sense of self" lies at the core of the issues involved in healing and psychological recovery. I really missed my "lost copy" and am most grateful to once again have it at my fingertips.

Walton H. Ehrhardt, EdD, LPC, LMFT, CGP

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Choice, December 29, 2006

By 

Richard Parrot "Dr. Parrot" (Houston, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Interpersonal World Of The Infant A View From Psychoanalysis And Developmental Psychology (Paperback)

Dr. Stern did an excellent job in describing human development that is empirically based. What has resulted is a questioning of Dr. Margaret Mahler's 1st and 2nd stages of development. Though Dr. Mahler's work is superb, her theory is derived from observation, whereas Dr. Stern utilized computer technology to research similar material consequently presenting a major contribution to the literature. Finally, his writing style is easy to read that all readers can benefit from, especially those who have or work with children. I recommend reading this book.