Mahler Development

Question 1

Autistic phase

Answer 1

(0-4 weeks) Takes place during first few weeks of life. Child is cut off, spends most of time sleeping

Question 2

Symbiotic phase

Answer 2

(1-6 months) This lasts until around 6 months of age, the child considers themselves and the mother to be a single unit and has no sense of themselves as an individual

Question 3

Separation-individuation SUBPHASE I - Differentiation

Answer 3

(6-10 months) Child is beginning to appreciate themselves as an individual. They are realising that mother may come and go and this is when separation anxiety is often first seen.

Question 4

Separation-individuation SUBPHASE II - Practicing

Answer 4

(10-16 months) Child begins to explore connections with the external world and people than the mother. Separation is generally brief and the infant is not comfortable to play unless the mother is in sight

Question 5

Separation-individuation SUBPHASE III - Rapprochement

Answer 5

(16-24 months) Child is having to resolve the ambivalence between proximity to mother and desire for independence. The child finds this difficult and often responds with tantrums (the terrible twos). Child likely to resort to transitional objects and ego splits (seeing the world as good or bad)

Question 6

Separation-individuation SUBPHASE IV - Object constancy

Answer 6

(24-36 months) Child has accepted the idea of object constancy and is now happier to allow mothers to be separate for periods of time