Lacan's Psychoanalytical Theory

Mirror Phase

 

 

Lacan's theory relates to the work of Freud because he also bases some ideas on development during childhood. This is true for Lacan's idea of the Mirror Stage, where 'between the ages of six and 18 months the infant begins to recognize his/her image in the mirror' and becomes 'in love with the image of themselves' (Mambrol, 2016). He later developed this concept to say that people continue to be fascinated by their own image beyond this phase, developing a more complex relationship between the real self and the imaginary self.

Lack

Jacques Lacan also theorised that people are motivated by a lack of something that they desire, which is present from birth. However, this lack can never be truly fulfilled. Instead, people strive for substitutes of their true desire which can be practically achieved (Hewitson, 2010). Thus, according to Lacan, we can never truly attain the object of our desires.

Bibliography:

• Mambrol, N., 2016. Lacan’s Concept of Mirror Stage. [online] Literariness. Available at: <https://literariness.org/2016/04/22/lacans-concept-of-mirror-stage/> [Accessed 11 January 2022].
• Hewitson, O., 2010. What Does Lacan Say About… Desire?. [online] LACANONLINE.COM. Available at: <https://www.lacanonline.com/2010/05/what-does-lacan-say-about-desire/> [Accessed 2 February 2022].