Infant Observation and the Dynamics of Misunderstanding

Abstract

My experience in the Infant Observation seminar exposed me from anearly stage of my psychoanalytic training to what I will designate here asthe experience of misunderstanding: first, misunderstanding at an individuallevel, in my struggle to understand my mandate as observer; second,misunderstanding at the group level when sharing my observationalnotes with the analytic group. I will briefly elaborate on these two levelsof misunderstanding and will discuss the value of this experience of misunderstandingin my analytic practice and the development of my mindas an "analyst."