Developments in Infant Observation: The Tavistock Model

Infant observation was first introduced at the Tavistock Clinic by Esther Bick in 1948 and was devised by her as a method of assessing the development within the family of babies aged between 0 and 2 years. Initially used only in the training of child psychotherapists at the Tavistock, the practice has now been adopted by child psychiatrists and therapists all over the world and is the subject of many academic studies. Studying a child within the home demands commitment from both observer and family, but the setting provides the intimacy through which the cognitive and emotional development of a particular child can be carefully and sensitively assessed. This pragmatic method differs fundamentally from the reading of texts on child development; observers are encouraged to see and ‘feel’ rather than simply to learn and attempt to apply theory. Infant observers are thus exposed to a new level of perception of human relationships that is both disturbing and exciting. In 1993 the first ever international conference on infant observation was held in London, and this book comprises twelve contributions selected and edited to provide an invaluable summary of the most recent theoretical developments and research initiatives in the field. Detailed material illustrates how the theories behind infant observation are put into practice, and helps to elucidate some of the more complex concepts for practitioners who may be unfamiliar with the Tavistock method. Anne Alvarez, The Tavistock Clinic, London; Olga Bazhenova, University of Maryland, formally Moscow State University; Stephen Briggs, The Tavistock Clinic London and University of