Mentalization

"Mentalize" redirects here. For the album, see Mentalize (album).

In psychology, mentalization is the ability to understand the mental state – of oneself or others – that underlies overt behaviour.[1] Mentalization can be seen as a form of imaginative mental activity that lets us perceive and interpret human behaviour in terms of intentional mental states (e.g., needs, desires, feelings, beliefs, goals, purposes, and reasons).[2][3] It is sometimes described as "understanding misunderstanding." Another term that David Wallin has used for mentalization is "Thinking about thinking".[4] Mentalization can occur either automatically or consciously.

  1. ^ Anthony Bateman; Peter Fonagy (2006). Mentalization-Based Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Practical Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2007-12-31 – via UCL Psychoanalysis Unit.
  2. ^ Anthony Bateman; Peter Fonagy (2007). "Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder. Workshop on Mentalisation Based Treatment" (PDF) (Presentation). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-12.
  3. ^ Fonagy, P., Gergely, G., Jurist, E.L., Target, M. (2002). Affect regulation, mentalization and the development of the self. New York; Other Press
  4. ^ Wallin, David (13 July 2009). "An Interview with David Wallin, Ph.D. on the Implications of Attachment Theory for Psychotherapy". mentalhelp.net (Interview). Interviewed by David Van Nuys. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 22 Apr 2011.