Difference between revisions of "Preoedipal phase"
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| − | The [[preoedipal phase]] | + | {{Top}}stade préœdipien{{Bottom}} |
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| + | The [[preoedipal phase]] is the [[stage]] of [[psychosexual development]] prior to the formation of the [[Oedipus complex]]. | ||
==Sigmund Freud== | ==Sigmund Freud== | ||
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==Jacques Lacan== | ==Jacques Lacan== | ||
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===Dual relation=== | ===Dual relation=== | ||
Before [[Lacan]], the [[preoedipal phase]] was usually represented as a [[dual relation]] between [[mother]] and [[child]] existing prior to any [[third]] term which could mediate it. | Before [[Lacan]], the [[preoedipal phase]] was usually represented as a [[dual relation]] between [[mother]] and [[child]] existing prior to any [[third]] term which could mediate it. | ||
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However, [[Lacan]] argues that such an approach has the disadvantage of rendering the concept unthinkable in [[psychoanalytic theory]]. | However, [[Lacan]] argues that such an approach has the disadvantage of rendering the concept unthinkable in [[psychoanalytic theory]]. | ||
| − | [[Psychoanalysis]] deals exclusively with [[structure]], which requires a minimum of [[three]] terms, and thus a [[preoedipal phase]] which is represented as a purely [[dual relation]] "cannot be conceived of in analytic terms."<ref>{{E}} p.197 | + | [[Psychoanalysis]] deals exclusively with [[structure]], which requires a minimum of [[three]] terms, and thus a [[preoedipal phase]] which is represented as a purely [[dual relation]] "cannot be conceived of in analytic terms."<ref>{{E}} p. 197</ref> |
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| − | + | The [[child]] is never completely alone with the [[mother]], since there is always a [[third]] term.<ref>{{S4}} p. 240-1</ref> | |
| − | + | Hence when [[Lacan]] speaks of a [[preoedipal phase]], he presents it not as a [[dual relation]] but as a [[triangle]].<ref>{{S4}} p. 81</ref> | |
| + | ===Triadic Structure=== | ||
The third element in the [[preoedipal]] [[triangle]], which mediates the [[dual relation]] between the [[mother]] and the [[child]], is the [[phallus]], an [[imaginary]] object which circulates between them in a series of exchanges. | The third element in the [[preoedipal]] [[triangle]], which mediates the [[dual relation]] between the [[mother]] and the [[child]], is the [[phallus]], an [[imaginary]] object which circulates between them in a series of exchanges. | ||
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The [[infant]] realises that the [[mother]] is not completely [[satisfied]] with him alone, but [[desire]]s something else (the [[phallus]]). | The [[infant]] realises that the [[mother]] is not completely [[satisfied]] with him alone, but [[desire]]s something else (the [[phallus]]). | ||
| − | The [[child]] then seeks to be the [[phallus]] for the [[mother]], which involves him in a [[seductive]] [[game]] of [[lures]] in which the [[child]] "is never really there at the [[place]] where he is, and is never completely [[absent]] from the [[place]] where he is not."<ref>{{S4}} p.193; {{S4}} p.223-4</ref> | + | The [[child]] then seeks to be the [[phallus]] for the [[mother]], which involves him in a [[seductive]] [[game]] of [[lures]] in which the [[child]] "is never really there at the [[place]] where he is, and is never completely [[absent]] from the [[place]] where he is not."<ref>{{S4}} p.193; {{S4}} p. 223-4</ref> |
| − | === | + | ===End of the Prepoedipal Phase=== |
| − | In the [[seminar]] of 1956-7, where [[Lacan]] analyses the [[case]] of [[Little Hans]],<ref>Freud, | + | In the [[seminar]] of 1956-7, where [[Lacan]] analyses the [[case]] of [[Little Hans]],<ref>{{F}} "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-Year-Old Boy]]," 1909. [[SE]] X, 3.</ref> he shows how, for a while, this [[game]] is [[satisfying]] for [[Hans]], and argues that there is nothing inherent in it that would put an end to this [[preoedipal phase]].<ref>{{S4}} p. 226</ref> |
However, at some point something else intervenes which introduces a discordant note of [[anxiety]] into the [[game]]. | However, at some point something else intervenes which introduces a discordant note of [[anxiety]] into the [[game]]. | ||
| − | This 'something else' is the first stirring of the [[drive]], which manifests itself in ''infantile masturbation''.<ref>{{S4}} p.225-6</ref> | + | This 'something else' is the first stirring of the [[drive]], which manifests itself in ''infantile masturbation''.<ref>{{S4}} p. 225-6</ref> |
| − | The intervention of the real organ in this way transforms the [[imaginary]] [[triangle]] into a [[death|deadly]] [[game]], an [[impossible]] task, in which the [[child]] is completely prey to the arbitrary [[desire]] of the omnipotent devouring [[mother]].<ref>{{S4}} p.69, 195</ref> | + | The intervention of the real organ in this way transforms the [[imaginary]] [[triangle]] into a [[death|deadly]] [[game]], an [[impossible]] task, in which the [[child]] is completely prey to the arbitrary [[desire]] of the omnipotent devouring [[mother]].<ref>{{S4}} p. 69, 195</ref> |
The [[child]] is only saved from this [[death|deadly]] [[game]] by the intervention of the [[father]] as a fourth term, the [[father]] who rightfully claims possession of the [[phallus]] on the basis of a [[symbolic]] [[law]]. | The [[child]] is only saved from this [[death|deadly]] [[game]] by the intervention of the [[father]] as a fourth term, the [[father]] who rightfully claims possession of the [[phallus]] on the basis of a [[symbolic]] [[law]]. | ||
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==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| + | {{See}} | ||
| + | * [[Dual relation]] | ||
* [[Imaginary]] | * [[Imaginary]] | ||
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| + | * [[Mother]] | ||
* [[Oedipus complex]] | * [[Oedipus complex]] | ||
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* [[Perversion]] | * [[Perversion]] | ||
* [[Phallus]] | * [[Phallus]] | ||
| + | {{Also}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Terms]] | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Concepts]] | [[Category:Concepts]] | ||
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Revision as of 20:36, 24 August 2006
| French: stade préœdipien |
The preoedipal phase is the stage of psychosexual development prior to the formation of the Oedipus complex.
Sigmund Freud
The term emerges very late in Freud's work, in the context of his discussion of female sexuality.[1]
Jacques Lacan
Dual relation
Before Lacan, the preoedipal phase was usually represented as a dual relation between mother and child existing prior to any third term which could mediate it.
However, Lacan argues that such an approach has the disadvantage of rendering the concept unthinkable in psychoanalytic theory.
Psychoanalysis deals exclusively with structure, which requires a minimum of three terms, and thus a preoedipal phase which is represented as a purely dual relation "cannot be conceived of in analytic terms."[2]
The child is never completely alone with the mother, since there is always a third term.[3]
Hence when Lacan speaks of a preoedipal phase, he presents it not as a dual relation but as a triangle.[4]
Triadic Structure
The third element in the preoedipal triangle, which mediates the dual relation between the mother and the child, is the phallus, an imaginary object which circulates between them in a series of exchanges.
In the seminar of 1957-8 Lacan speaks of this Imaginary triangle not as a preoedipal phase but as the first 'time' of the Oedipus complex.
Whether described as preoedipal, or as a moment in the Oedipus complex itself, the imaginary triangle of mother, child and phallus arises when the infant perceives a lack in the mother.
The infant realises that the mother is not completely satisfied with him alone, but desires something else (the phallus).
The child then seeks to be the phallus for the mother, which involves him in a seductive game of lures in which the child "is never really there at the place where he is, and is never completely absent from the place where he is not."[5]
End of the Prepoedipal Phase
In the seminar of 1956-7, where Lacan analyses the case of Little Hans,[6] he shows how, for a while, this game is satisfying for Hans, and argues that there is nothing inherent in it that would put an end to this preoedipal phase.[7]
However, at some point something else intervenes which introduces a discordant note of anxiety into the game.
This 'something else' is the first stirring of the drive, which manifests itself in infantile masturbation.[8]
The intervention of the real organ in this way transforms the imaginary triangle into a deadly game, an impossible task, in which the child is completely prey to the arbitrary desire of the omnipotent devouring mother.[9]
The child is only saved from this deadly game by the intervention of the father as a fourth term, the father who rightfully claims possession of the phallus on the basis of a symbolic law.
Perversion
The interest of the preoedipal phase for Lacan does not only lie in its function in paving the way for the Oedipus complex, but also in the fact that all the perversions have their origin in this phase.[10]
Perversion always involves some kind of identification with another term in the preoedipal triangle, whether it be the mother, or the imaginary phallus (or both, as in fetishism).
See Also
References
- ↑ Freud. 1931b
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 197
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 240-1
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 81
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p.193; Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 223-4
- ↑ Freud, Sigmund. "Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-Year-Old Boy," 1909. SE X, 3.
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 226
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 225-6
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 69, 195
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p.193
