THE TRANSITIONAL OBJECT AND TRANSITIONAL PHENOMENA: WINNICOTT REVISITED

The present paper is an attempt to re-examine the foundations of our knowledge on the transitional object and transitional phenomena. The need for such a re-examination emerges from the ambiguities and confusion that pervade the status of these concepts in the literature.; An overview of the major empirical studies on these phenomena highlighted some of the problematic issues. The central issues seen as obscure were: (a) the confusion as to the definition of the concepts; (b) the lack of clarity as to the relationship between the transitional object and transitional phenomena, and development; (c) the lack of clarity regarding the relationship between the transitional object and transitional phenomena; and (d) the tension between a "Winnicottian" and a "pragmatic" approach to the phenomena.; Some of the major theoretical contributions on the transitional object and transitional phenomena were briefly reviewed. This overview highlighted the artificial split that exists between the theoretical and the empirical approaches: New, interesting and elaborate theoretical views continue to emerge in a chaotic context, usually without addressing--often without acknowledging--the basic issues that remain obscure.; The review of the literature emphasized the need to re-examine the foundation of our understanding of these concepts. While Winnicott's notions on the transitional object and transitional phenomena are the bases for most other writings, these notions have never been thoroughly explored.; The present paper offered an integration and interpretation of Winnicott's views on development. Winnicott's writings on the transitional object and transitional phenomena were then thoroughly reviewed and integrated. The relationship between these concepts and Winnicott's views of development was emphasized; the developmental functions of these phenomena were delineated. Ways in which Winnicott's writings contributed to the confusion in the literature were suggested.; A re-evaluation of some of the problematic issues in the literature, in light of the suggested interpretation of Winnicott's writings, was undertaken. Several formulations were advanced as to possible ways of solving those issues. Finally, lines for further research were suggested. The need for close, in-depth observations and exploratory studies was emphasized, given the difficulties remaining in defining and delimiting the phenomena under study.