Specular image
From No Subject
| French: image spèculaire |
[edit] Little Other
The specular image refers to the reflection of one's own body in the mirror, the image of oneself which is simultaneously oneself and other -- the "little other".
[edit] Identification
It is by identifying with the specular image that the infant first begins to construct its ego in the mirror stage.
[edit] Mirror Stage
Even when there is no real mirror, the infant sees its behaviour reflected in the imitative gestures of an adult or another child; these imitative gestures enable the other person to function as a specular image.
[edit] Captation
The human being is completely captivated by the specular image.
[edit] Imaginary
This is the basic reason for the power of the imaginary in the subject.
[edit] Non-Specularizable
There are certain things which have no specular image, which are not "specularizable."
These are the phallus, the erogenous zones, and objet petit a.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
