Margaret Mahler - Attachment Theory

Question 1

What is Margaret Mahler’s Theory?

Answer 1

Attachment theory

Process of Separation-Individuatio

Question 2

What is the Autistic-Newborn to 1st Month Phase?

1st Phase

Answer 2

Infant Focused on Self

Incapable of investing in others/unresponsive to external stimuli

Question 3

What is the Symbiotic Stage?

2nd Phase

Answer 3

1 - 5 Months

Infant BREAKS OUT OF AUTISTIC SHELL

Infant feels unity with mother/begins to understand the MOTHER AS A SEPARATE BEING

Question 4

What is the Differentiation Phase?

(3rd Phase)

(Part of separation-individuation Phase)

Answer 4

6 - 9 Months

Attention shifts from an inward focus to an outward focus

The infant begins to separate from caregiver by crawling

Question 5

What is the Practicing Phase?

(4th Phase)

(Part of separation-individuation Phase)

Answer 5

9 - 14 months

Infant crawls and walks freely

Explores actively and becomes distant from mother

Question 6

What is the Rapprochement Phase?

(5th Phase)

(Part of separation-individuation Phase)

Answer 6

12 - 24 Months

Infant desires to be independent

Infant moves away from the mother but returns regularly to make sure his/her mother is still there

Question 7

What is the Object Constancy Phase?

(6th Phase)

(Part of separation-individuation Phase)

Answer 7

After 24 Months

The infant has the capacity to recall the mother despite the absence

The child sees mother as a separate individual from themselves