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===PaperHistory===The [[concept]] of the [[mirror stage]] (also translated in is [[EnglishLacan]] as "'s first important contribution to [[mirror stagepsychoanalysis|the looking-glass phasepsychoanalytic theory]]") was the subject of , [[Lacan]]'s first official contribution to innovation within the field of [[psychoanalytic theorypsychoanalysis]], when he propounded the concept to the at an [[mirror stage|Fourteenth International Psychoanalytical CongressIPA]] conference at [[mirror stage|Marienbad]] in 1936 (the original 1936 paper was never published, but a rewritten version appeared in 1949).  From this point on, the [[mirror stage{{Y}}|1936]] forms . The concept is a constant point of reference throughout [[Lacan]]'s [[Jacques Lacan:Bibliography|entire work]].  ===Development===While apparently quite simple, the concept of the and becomes increasingly [[mirror stagecomplex]] takes on an ever-increasing complexity during the course of [[Lacan]]'s [[Jacques Lacan:Bibliography|work]], as he takes it up and reworks it is reworked in various different contexts.

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.

[[Lacan]]'s concept of the [[mirror stage]] (as opposed to Wallon's "represents a fundamental aspect of the [[structure]] of [[subjectivity]]. Whereas in [[mirror stage{{Y}}|mirror test1936-49]], [[Lacan]]") seems to see it is far more than a mere experiment: the [[mirror development|stage]] represents which can be located at a fundamental aspect specific [[time]] in the [[development]] of the [[structurechild]] with a beginning (six months) and an end (eighteen months),<ref>{{E}} p. 5</ref> by the end of this period there are already [[subjectivitysigns]]that he is broadening the concept.

Whereas in 1936-49, By the early 1950s [[Lacan seems to see ]] no longer regards it is simply as a [[development|stagemoment]] in the [[life]] of the [[infant]] which can be located at , but sees it as also representing a specific permanent [[timestructure]] in the of [[developmentsubjectivity]] , the paradigm of the [[childimaginary|imaginary order]] with ; it is a beginning stadium (six months''stade'') in which the [[subject]] is permanently [[captation|caught]] and an end (eighteen months),<ref>{{E}} p.5</ref> [[captation|captivated]] by the end of this period there are already signs that he is broadening the concept. his own [[image]]:

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 [[captation|caught]] and [[captation|captivated]] by his own [[image]]: <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>

<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>

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]].

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.

HoweverThe [[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 visual system is relatively advanoedown [[image]], because the [[gestalt|wholeness]] of the [[image]] threatens the subject with [[fragmentation]], which means that it can recognize itself in and the [[mirror before attaining control over its bodily movementsstage]] thereby gives rise to an [[aggressivity|aggressive tension]] between the [[subject]] and the [[specular image|image]].

The In [[baby]] sees its own [[image]] as [[gestalt|whole]], and the [[dialectic|synthesisorder]] 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 [[image]].  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]]:

This [[identi­ficationidentification]] 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.

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]].

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]].<ref>{{L}} ''[[Seminar X|Le Séminaire. Livre X. L'angoisse, 1962-3]]''. Unpublished. [[Seminar ]] of 28 November 1962</ref>

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>

==See Also=={{See}}* "[[Le stade du miroir comme formateur de la fonction du JeAggressivity]]." ''* [[Alienation]]* [[Biology]]||* [[Captation]]* [[ÉcritsEgo]]''. Paris: Seuil, 1966: 93-100 * [["Gestalt]]||* [[The mirror stage as formative of the function of the IIdeal ego]]." Trans. * [[Alan SheridanIdentification]]. ''* [[Écrits: A SelectionImaginary]]''. London: Tavistock, 1977; New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1977: 1-7||* [[Master]]* [[Narcissism]]* [[Other]]||* [[Psychology]]* [[Specular image]].{{Also}}