Difference between revisions of "Mirror stage"

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Lacan's article "The Mirror Stage as Formative of the I" (1936, 1949) lays out the parameters of a doctrine that he never foreswore, and which has subsequently become something of a post-structuralist mantra: namely, that human identity is 'decentred'. The key observation of Lacan’s essay concerns the behaviour of infants between the ages of 6 and 18 months. At this age, Lacan notes, children become capable of recognising their mirror image. This is not a dispassionate experience, either. It is a recognition that brings the child great pleasure. For Lacan, we can only explain this 'jubilation' as a testimony to how, in the recognition of its mirror-image, the child is having its first anticipation of itself as a unified and separate individual. Before this time, Lacan contends (drawing on contemporary psychoanalytic observation), the child is little more than a 'body in bits and pieces', unable to clearly separate I and Other, and wholly dependant for its survival (for a length of time unique in the animal kingdom) upon its first nurturers.
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{{Top}}stade du miroir{{Bottom}}
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The implications of this observation on the mirror stage, in Lacan's reckoning, are far-reaching. They turn around the fact that, if it holds, then the genesis of individuals' sense of individuation can in no way be held to issue from the 'organic’ or 'natural' development of any inner wealth supposed to be innate within them. The I is an Other from the ground up, for Lacan (echoing and developing a conception of the ego already mapped out in Freud's Ego and Id). The truth of this dictum, as Lacan comments in "Aggressivity and Psychoanalysis", is evident in infantile transitivity: that phenomenon wherein one infant hit by another yet proclaims: 'I hit him!', and visa-versa. It is more simply registered in the fact that it remains a permanent possibility of adult human experience for us to speak and think of ourselves in the second or third person. What is decisive in these phenomena, according to Lacan, is that the ego is at base an object: an artificial projection of subjective unity modelled on the visual images of objects and others that the individual confronts in the world. Identification with the ego, Lacan accordingly maintains, is what underlies the unavoidable component of aggressivity in human behaviour especially evident amongst infants, and which Freud recognised in his Three Essays on Sexuality when he stressed the primordial ambivalence of children towards their love object(s) (in the oral phase, to love is to devour; in the anal phase, it is to master or destroy …).
 
  
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==Jacques Lacan==
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===History===
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The [[concept]] of the [[mirror stage]] is [[Lacan]]'s first important contribution to [[psychoanalysis|psychoanalytic theory]], [[Lacan]]'s first innovation within the field of [[psychoanalysis]], propounded at an [[IPA]] conference at [[Marienbad]] in [[{{Y}}|1936]].  The concept is a constant point of reference throughout [[Lacan]]'s [[Jacques Lacan:Bibliography|work]], and becomes increasingly [[complex]] as it is reworked in various different contexts.
  
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== def==
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===Child Psychology===
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The young child's identification with his own image (what Lacan terms the "Ideal-I" or "ideal ego"), a stage that occurs anywhere from 6-18 months of age. For Lacan, this act marks the primordial recognition of one's self as "I," although at a point before entrance into language and the symbolic order. This stage's misrecognition or méconnaissance (seeing an ideal-I where there is a fragmented, chaotic body) subsequently "characterizes the ego in all its structures" (Écrits 6). In particular, this creation of an ideal version of the self gives pre-verbal impetus to the creation of narcissistic phantasies in the fully developed subject. That fantasy image of oneself can be filled in by others who we may want to emulate in our adult lives (role models, et cetera), anyone that we set up as a mirror for ourselves. The mirror stage establishes what Lacan terms the "imaginary order" and, through the imaginary, continues to assert its influence on the subject even after the subject enters the symbolic order. See the Lacan Module on Psychosexual Development.
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The "[[mirror stage|mirror test]]" was first described by the [[French]] [[psychology|psychologist]] and friend of [[Lacan]], Henri Wallon, in 1931, although [[Lacan]] attributes its discovery to Baldwin.<ref>{{E}} p. 1</ref> It refers to a [[particular]] experiment which can differentiate the [[human]] [[infant]] from his closest [[animal]] relative, the chimpanzee. The six-­month-old child differs from the chimpanzee of the same age in that the former becomes fascinated with its [[reflection]] in the [[mirror]] and jubilantly assumes it as its own [[image]], whereas the chimpanzee quickly realizes that the [[image]] is [[illusory]] and loses interest in it.
  
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== def ==
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===Structure of Subjectivity===
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[[Lacan]]'s concept of the [[mirror stage]] represents a fundamental aspect of the [[structure]] of [[subjectivity]].  Whereas in [[{{Y}}|1936-49]], [[Lacan]] seems to see it is a [[development|stage]] which can be located at a specific [[time]] in the [[development]] of the [[child]] with a beginning (six months) and an end (eighteen months),<ref>{{E}} p. 5</ref> by the end of this period there are already [[signs]] that he is broadening the concept.
  
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[[Jacques Lacan]] tells of the '''mirror stage''' in his essay "The Mirror stage as formative of the function of the ''I'' as revealed in psychoanalytic experience," which was published in English in ''Écrits: A Selection'', first by Alan Sheridan in 1977, and more recently by Bruce Fink in 2002. Lacan first delivered this essay as a talk at the 16th International Congress of Psychoanalysis in Zurich on July 17 1949. In [[Jacques Lacan]]'s [[psychoanalytic]] theory, the "mirror stage" (''le stade du miroir'') is the point in an [[infant]]'s life when he may recognize his "[[self (philosophy)|self]]" in a mirror, and thus achieves [[consciousness]] of himself.
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By the early 1950s [[Lacan]] no longer regards it simply as a [[moment]] in the [[life]] of the [[infant]], but sees it as also representing a permanent [[structure]] of [[subjectivity]], the paradigm of the [[imaginary|imaginary order]]; it is a stadium (''stade'') in which the [[subject]] is permanently [[captation|caught]] and [[captation|captivated]] by his own [[image]]:
  
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When the child sees itself in the mirror, often propped up by another person or mechanical device and is able to associate the image with itself, it retroactively posits that before this autonomy that it now perceives, its body was in "bits and pieces." At the moment of perceiving bodily autonomy, Jane Gallop says there is jubilation, but it is short lived. As soon as the infant can posit that prior to this moment it was in "bits and pieces," it recognizes the danger of regressing to this earlier stage.  
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<blockquote>[the mirror [[stage]] is] a phenomenon to which I assign a twofold [[value]].  In the first [[place]], it has historical value as it marks a decisive turning-point in the [[mental]] development of the child. In the second place, it typifies an essential [[libidinal]] [[relationship]] with the [[body]]-image.<ref>{{L}} 1951b. "[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Some Reflections on the Ego]]," ''Int. J. [[Psycho]]-[[Anal]].'', vol. 34, 1953: 14</ref></blockquote>
  
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The potential relation between facets of the mirror stage and our relation to character archetypes has been explored in depth by theorists of entertainment media.
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===Dual Relationship===
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As Lacan further develops the concept of the [[mirror stage]], the stress falls less
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on its "[[development|historical value]]" and ever more on its [[structure|structural value]].  
  
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==See also==
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Thus by 1956 [[Lacan]] can say:
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* [[Consciousness]]
 
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* [[Self-awareness]]
 
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* [[the Imaginary]]
 
  
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[[Category:Human development]]
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<blockquote>[[The mirror stage]] is far from a mere phenomenon which occurs in the development of the child. It illustrates the conflictual [[nature]] of the [[dual]] relationship.<ref>{{S4}} p. 17</ref></blockquote>
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[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
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[[Category:Philosophical terminology]]
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===Ego Formation===
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[[Category:Lacan]]
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The [[mirror stage]] describes the [[formation]] of the [[ego]] via the [[process]] of [[identification]]; the [[ego]] is the result of [[identifying]] with one's own [[specular image]].
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===Prematurity of Infant===
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The key to this phenomenon lies in the [[helplessness|prematurity]] of the [[human]] [[infant|baby]]: at six months, the baby still [[lacks]] coordination.  However, its [[visual]] [[system]] is relatively advanced, which means that it can recognize itself in the mirror before attaining [[control]] over its [[bodily]] movements.
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The [[baby]] sees its own [[image]] as [[gestalt|whole]], and the [[dialectic|synthesis]] of this [[image]] produces a [[sense]] of contrast with the uncoordination of the body, which is experienced as a [[fragmented body]]; this contrast is first felt by the [[infant]] as a [[rivalry]] with its own [[image]], because the [[gestalt|wholeness]] of the [[image]] threatens the subject with [[fragmentation]], and the [[mirror stage]] thereby gives rise to an [[aggressivity|aggressive tension]] between the [[subject]] and the [[specular image|image]].
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In [[order]] to resolve this [[aggressivity|aggressive tension]], the [[subject]] [[identifies]] with the [[image]]; this [[identification|primary identi­fication]] with the [[counterpart]] is what forms the [[ego]].  The moment of [[identifica­tion]], when the [[subject]] assumes its [[image]] as its own, is described by [[Lacan]] as a moment of jubilation,<ref>{{E}} p. 1</ref> since it leads to an [[imaginary]] sense of [[master|mastery]]:
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<blockquote>[the child's] joy is due to his imaginary triumph in anticipating a degree of muscular co-ordination which he has not yet actually achieved.<ref>{{L}} 1951b. "[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Some Reflections on the Ego]]," ''Int. J. Psycho-Anal.'', Vol. 34, 1953: 15; {{S1}} p. 79</ref></blockquote>
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However, this jubilation may also be accompanied by a depressive reaction, when the [[child]] compares his own precarious sense of [[mastery]] with the omnipotence of the [[mother]].<ref>{{Ec}} p. 345; {{S4}} p. 186</ref>
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===Ideal Ego===
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This [[identification]] also involves the [[ideal ego]] which functions as a promise of [[future]] [[gestalt|wholeness]] which sustains the [[ego]] in [[time|anticipation]].  The [[mirror stage]] shows that the [[ego]] is the product of [[méconnaissance|misunderstanding]] ([[méconnaissance]] and the site where the [[subject]] becomes [[alienation|alienated]] from himself.
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===Imaginary and Symbolic===
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It represents the introduction of the [[subject]] into the [[imaginary order]].  However, the [[mirror stage]] also has an important [[symbolic|symbolic dimension]]. The [[symbolic order]] is [[present]] in the [[figure]] of the [[adult]] who is carrying or supporting the [[infant]].
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The moment after the [[subject]] has jubilantly assumed his [[image]] as his own, he turns his head round towards this adult, who represents the [[big Other]], as if to call on him to ratify this [[image]].<ref>{{L}} ''[[Seminar X|Le Séminaire. Livre X. L'angoisse, 1962-3]]''. Unpublished.  [[Seminar]] of 28 November 1962</ref>
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===Narcissism===
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The [[mirror stage]] is also closely related to [[narcissism]], as the story of [[Narcissus]] clearly shows (in the Greek [[myth]], [[Narcissus]] falls in [[love]] with his own reflection).<ref>* "[[Le stade du miroir comme formateur de la fonction du Je]]." ''[[Écrits]]''. [[Paris]]: Seuil, 1966: 93-100 ["[[The mirror stage as formative of the function of the I]]." Trans. [[Alan Sheridan]]. ''[[Écrits: A Selection]]''. [[London]]: Tavistock, 1977; New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1977: 1-7].</ref>
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==See Also==
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{{See}}
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* [[Aggressivity]]
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* [[Alienation]]
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* [[Biology]]
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||
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* [[Captation]]
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* [[Ego]]
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* [[Gestalt]]
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||
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* [[Ideal ego]]
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* [[Identification]]
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* [[Imaginary]]
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||
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* [[Master]]
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* [[Narcissism]]
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* [[Other]]
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||
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* [[Psychology]]
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* [[Specular image]]
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{{Also}}
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==References==
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<div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small">
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<references/>
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</div>
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{{OK}}
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[[Category:Imaginary]]
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[[Category:Development]]
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__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 19:31, 20 May 2019

French: stade du miroir

Jacques Lacan

History

The concept of the mirror stage is Lacan's first important contribution to psychoanalytic theory, Lacan's first innovation within the field of psychoanalysis, propounded at an IPA conference at Marienbad in 1936. The concept is a constant point of reference throughout Lacan's work, and becomes increasingly complex as it is reworked in various different contexts.

Child Psychology

The "mirror test" was first described by the French psychologist and friend of Lacan, Henri Wallon, in 1931, although Lacan attributes its discovery to Baldwin.[1] It refers to a particular experiment which can differentiate the human infant from his closest animal relative, the chimpanzee. The six-­month-old child differs from the chimpanzee of the same age in that the former becomes fascinated with its reflection in the mirror and jubilantly assumes it as its own image, whereas the chimpanzee quickly realizes that the image is illusory and loses interest in it.

Structure of Subjectivity

Lacan's concept of the mirror stage represents a fundamental aspect of the structure of subjectivity. Whereas in 1936-49, Lacan seems to see it is a stage which can be located at a specific time in the development of the child with a beginning (six months) and an end (eighteen months),[2] by the end of this period there are already signs that he is broadening the concept.

By the early 1950s Lacan no longer regards it simply as a moment in the life of the infant, but sees it as also representing a permanent structure of subjectivity, the paradigm of the imaginary order; it is a stadium (stade) in which the subject is permanently caught and captivated by his own image:

[the mirror stage is] a phenomenon to which I assign a twofold value. In the first place, it has historical value as it marks a decisive turning-point in the mental development of the child. In the second place, it typifies an essential libidinal relationship with the body-image.[3]

Dual Relationship

As Lacan further develops the concept of the mirror stage, the stress falls less on its "historical value" and ever more on its structural value.

Thus by 1956 Lacan can say:

The mirror stage is far from a mere phenomenon which occurs in the development of the child. It illustrates the conflictual nature of the dual relationship.[4]

Ego Formation

The mirror stage describes the formation of the ego via the process of identification; the ego is the result of identifying with one's own specular image.

Prematurity of Infant

The key to this phenomenon lies in the prematurity of the human baby: at six months, the baby still lacks coordination. However, its visual system is relatively advanced, which means that it can recognize itself in the mirror before attaining control over its bodily movements.

The baby sees its own image as whole, and the synthesis of this image produces a sense of contrast with the uncoordination of the body, which is experienced as a fragmented body; this contrast is first felt by the infant as a rivalry with its own image, because the wholeness of the image threatens the subject with fragmentation, and the mirror stage thereby gives rise to an aggressive tension between the subject and the image.

In order to resolve this aggressive tension, the subject identifies with the image; this primary identi­fication with the counterpart is what forms the ego. The moment of identifica­tion, when the subject assumes its image as its own, is described by Lacan as a moment of jubilation,[5] since it leads to an imaginary sense of mastery:

[the child's] joy is due to his imaginary triumph in anticipating a degree of muscular co-ordination which he has not yet actually achieved.[6]

However, this jubilation may also be accompanied by a depressive reaction, when the child compares his own precarious sense of mastery with the omnipotence of the mother.[7]

Ideal Ego

This identification also involves the ideal ego which functions as a promise of future wholeness which sustains the ego in anticipation. The mirror stage shows that the ego is the product of misunderstanding (méconnaissance and the site where the subject becomes alienated from himself.

Imaginary and Symbolic

It represents the introduction of the subject into the imaginary order. However, the mirror stage also has an important symbolic dimension. The symbolic order is present in the figure of the adult who is carrying or supporting the infant.

The moment after the subject has jubilantly assumed his image as his own, he turns his head round towards this adult, who represents the big Other, as if to call on him to ratify this image.[8]

Narcissism

The mirror stage is also closely related to narcissism, as the story of Narcissus clearly shows (in the Greek myth, Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection).[9]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 1
  2. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 5
  3. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1951b. "Some Reflections on the Ego," Int. J. Psycho-Anal., vol. 34, 1953: 14
  4. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 17
  5. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 1
  6. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1951b. "Some Reflections on the Ego," Int. J. Psycho-Anal., Vol. 34, 1953: 15; Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book I. Freud's Papers on Technique, 1953-54. Trans. John Forrester. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. p. 79
  7. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 345; Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 186
  8. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre X. L'angoisse, 1962-3. Unpublished. Seminar of 28 November 1962
  9. ↑ * "Le stade du miroir comme formateur de la fonction du Je." Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966: 93-100 ["The mirror stage as formative of the function of the I." Trans. Alan Sheridan. Écrits: A Selection. London: Tavistock, 1977; New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1977: 1-7].


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