Infancy research

This chapter offers a summary of key findings from recent research about infant development, early infant-parent interaction, attachment theory and research, and intersubjectivity theory. These support a developmental-relational paradigm. Key points include: Infants are social from the beginning of life; micro-analysis of interactions in small time intervals; nonverbal dimensions of communication and psychology; affect is central in communication, development and personality organization; mutual regulation and mutual influence; recognition processes; an intersubjective perspective; a transactional, nonlinear dynamic systems perspective; a brief review of attachment theory and research; findings about continuities between infancy and later development; and direct interventions with infants and their families. Specific findings and experimental situations are described. All of this has substantial implications for applying developmental knowledge about infancy to psychotherapy practice.