From Ego to “We-Go”: Neurobiology and Questions for Psychoanalysis: Commentary on Papers by Trevarthen, Gallese, and Ammaniti & Trentini

Abstract

The self is a social self to begin with. The research reviewed indicates that, from infancy, innately given brain processes support social reciprocity and the development of “we-ness.” Implications for psychoanalysis and needs for future research are discussed.

Notes

¹Many of the details of Spitz's theory and our hypotheses from it, as well as the details of our resulting longitudinal and cross sectional studies, can be found in Emde, Gaensbauer, and Harmon (1976). Commentary on Spitz's work in general, and his observations and thinking about early dialogues, can be found in his selected papers (Emde, 1983b).

²The translations were Ein exekutives “Wir”-Gefuhl, un sens executif du “nous” and un sentido ejecutivo del “nosostros”—respectively.

³A useful summary of multiple studies involving the MNS and autistic spectrum disorders can be found in Iacoboni (2008).