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I have known Peter Fonagy's scientific work over many years. It is always databased, condensed, and leads to challenging information and theoretic propositions. His present paper follows this pattern, building a bridge between psychoanalysis and allied fields.
In order to discuss his presentation I could follow these headings:
What is the aim of his investigation?
What are the advantages and limitations of his method of investigation?
What is the implication of his findings on our body of psychoanalytic theories?
A longitudinal study should inform us about the genesis of health and pathology. It should follow the transformation of developmental and maturational processes, demonstrate the discontinuities which allow new organization to occur or the fixation, or regressions or derailment which influence the developmental progression.
In addition, Dr. Baudry has asked what these longitudinal studies can contribute to the analysis of adults.
I shall select from this outline those aspects which I think will be suitable within the limits imposed on the discussion.
I was curious to learn how Peter Fonagy proceeds from a cross-sectional study to arrive at longitudinal interences, based on an assessment of subjects at 18 months and between 5 and 6 years of age, and from the assessment of their parents' profile. Did he choose these ages for testing of the children based on the reliability of the tests, or on the phase of developmental organization, which will yield the best results to pursue his aim?