W. R. Bion’s models of mind as the foundation of the concept of mentalization

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present those topics in Bion’s theoretical system – in particular, the concepts centered around the theory of thinking – which greatly inspired the authors of the concept of mentalization. The article presents the sources of these models in the theories of classical psychoanalysis, as well as Bion’s original contribution. It shows the roots of the analytical attitude recommended by Bion – the state of reverie, that allows the alpha function – receptive, including presence of the analyst – to stimulate the patient’s process of dreaming, and so to process the sensory experience into alpha elements.