Perception and meaning making: epistemological and theoretical reflections and a technical proposal in the light of the method in Psychoanalysis of the Report

Abstract

Infant Research has developed themes of great interest for psychoanalysis, stimulating theoretical, methodological and technical progress in the field of relational psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy. In particular, Infant Research has accumulated convincing evidence for a conception of a child active from the beginning in participating in the processes of meaning making through perceptual modalities played in interaction with the physical and social world in which he or she participates. However, the role of perception as the founding process of meaning making has remained unexplored in background relationship psychoanalysis. The aim of this contribution is to underline, at an epistemological level, the central role of perception with respect to the emerging processes of meaning making in children and adults. A theoretical-methodological reflection on the relationship between perception, intention and interaction will be elaborated. Finally, on the technical level, a technical proposal is made for the use of perception within the clinical device of psychoanalysis of the couple relationship.