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==Jacques Lacan==
=====Early Work==History===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.
===Child Psychology===The concept "[[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 stage]] and jubilantly assumes it as its own [[image]], whereas the chimpanzee quickly realizes that the [[image]] is [[Lacanillusory]]'s first and loses interest in it.
=====Development==Structure of Subjectivity===The [[Lacan]]'s concept is of the [[mirror stage]] represents a constant point fundamental aspect of the [[structure]] of reference throughout [[Lacansubjectivity]]'s . Whereas in [[Jacques Lacan:Bibliography{{Y}}|work1936-49]], and becomes increasingly complex as [[Lacan]] seems to see it is reworked a [[development|stage]] which can be located at a specific [[time]] in various different contextsthe [[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.
As Lacan further develops the concept of the [[mirror stage]], the stress falls less
on its "[[development|historical value]]" and ever more on its [[structure|structural value]].
Thus by 1956 [[Lacan]] can say:
<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> =====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==Ego Formation===The key to this phenomenon lies in [[mirror stage]] describes the [[helplessness|prematurityformation]] of the [[humanego]] via the [[infant|babyprocess]]: at six months, of [[identification]]; the baby still lacks coordination[[ego]] is the result of [[identifying]] with one's own [[specular image]].
===Prematurity of Infant===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 advanoedadvanced, which means that it can recognize itself in the mirror before attaining [[control ]] over its [[bodily ]] movements.
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]].
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]]:
<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>
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>
===Imaginary and Symbolic===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]].
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>
{{See}}
* [[Aggressivity]]
{{Also}}
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{{OK}}