Construct · 1 fields · 1 citations

transitional object: a standalone construct

One name. One construct. A landmark on the map.

● anchor · one construct, one field Nearest construct by meaning·not indexed
transitionalobject1 CONSTRUCTTransitional objectWINNICOTT · 1953

A single standalone construct; nearby constructs are located against it in the Collider. Tap a field for its definition, unit, and measures.

Developmental psychoanalysis

A first 'not-me' possession that soothes the infant

In Winnicott's developmental psychoanalysis, a transitional object is an infant's first "not-me" possession (a blanket, soft toy, or similar) that occupies an intermediate area between inner fantasy and external reality and helps the child tolerate separation from the mother. Winnicott introduced the idea in 1953 and developed it in Playing and Reality, framing transitional objects and phenomena as the root of later play, creativity, and cultural experience. The referent is a specific developmental object-relation observed in infancy, described clinically rather than scored on a scale.[1]

Unit
The infant's use of a chosen object to bridge inner and outer reality
Recovery means
Not applicable
Measured by
Not directly measured; identified through observation of the infant's attachment to and use of the object

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Nearby constructs

blanket2 fields · 2 citationsjingle · one word, two constructscreativity4 names · 5 citationsjangle · one construct, four conceptionsexperience4 fields · 6 citationsjingle · one word, four constructs

References

  1. Winnicott, D. W. (2005). Playing and reality. Routledge. (Original work published 1971) ISBN 9780415345460

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