말러의 아동발달단계(무단복제금지)

Separation-Individuation Theory of Child Development (Mahler)

아동발달의 분리-개별화 이론 (말러)

하정미 역

 

Summary: Mahler describes a series of stages occurring within the first three years of life aimed at the developmental goal of Separation and Individuation.

요약: 말러는 분리와 개별화라는 발달목표를 지향하는 인생 초기 3년 동안의 일련의 발달단계를 설명하였다.

 

Originator: Margaret Mahler (1897-1985), a Hungarian-born American psychiatrist

원작자: 마가렛 말러(1897-1985)- 헝가리 태생 미국 정신의학자

 

Keywords: Separation-Individuation, Ego psychology, Developmental stages, Object constancy, Mother-infant interactions

핵심단어: 분리- 개별화, 자아심리학, 발달 단계, 대상영속성, 어머니와 유아간의 상호작용

 

 

     Mahler is regarded as one of the main contributors to the field of ‘ego psychology’, a school of thought which evolved from Sigmund Freud’s Structural Model (id-ego-superego). 말러는 프로이트의 원초아와 자아 그리고 초자아로 구성된 구조적 모델로부터 발전된 학파인 자아심리학분야의 주요한 공헌자 중 한 명으로 간주된다. Her aim was not to develop a novel theory, but to broaden the scope of pre-existing theories. 그녀의 목표는 새로운 이론을 개발하는 것이 아니라 기존의 이론의 영역을 확장하는 것이었다. Her studies focus primarily on mother-infant interactions within the first three years of life[1][2], thereby filling a void in psychodynamic stage theories, such as Freud’s psychosexual stages of development, and Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development. 그녀의 연구는 인생 초기 3년 내에 발생하는 어머니와 유아 사이의 상호작용에 일차적인 초점을 두어서 프로이트의 심리성적 발달단계와 에릭슨의 심리사회적 발달단계와 같은 정신역동적 발달단계이론에서 설명이 부족한 부분을 메우는 것이었다. Although this article will refer to mother-infant relations, the theory holds true for any primary caregiver. 이 글은 어머니와 유아사이의 관계를 설명하지만 이 이론은 모든 일차 양육자에게도 적용된다.

 

  According to Mahler, successful completion of the developmental stages in the first few years of life results in separation and individuation. 말러에 의하면 인생 초기의 발달단계의 성공적인 완성은 분리와 개별화로 이루어진다. Separation refers to an internal process of mental separation from the mother, while individuation refers to a developing self concept. Although interrelated, it is possible for one to develop more than the other, largely depending on the mother’s attitude towards the child[3]. 개별화가 자기개념의 발달을 설명하는 것과는 달리 분리는 어머니로부터 정신적인 분리의 내적 과정을 말하는 것이다. 이것은 서로 관련되어 있으나 대체로 아동에 대한 어머니의 태도에 따라 한 가지가 다른 것에 비해 더 발달되는 것이 가능하다.

 

<Stages of Development; 발달단계>

1. 정상적 자폐단계(Normal autistic stage: 0-1 month)

 

At the very beginning of life, the infant is primarily focused on himself/herself, uninterested in external stimuli. The mother is viewed as an intrinsic part of the infant, devoid of a separate existence. The primary goal at this point, is to achieve a state of equilibrium, while lacking the understanding that the satisfaction of needs may come from an external source.

 

2. 정상적 공생단계(Normal symbiotic stage: (-5 months)

 

At this phase, the infant vaguely acknowledges the mother’s existence, not as a unique entity, but as the main source of need-satisfaction. The fulfilment of the infant’s physiological needs becomes intertwined with psychological desires and thus serves as the basis upon which future relationships will be formed. Crucial to successful progression through the next stages are the availability and the ability of the mother to adapt successfully to the infant’s needs.

 

3. 분리 개별화단계(Separation-Individuation stage: 5-24 months) In this final stage a significant transition occurs in two overlapping realms. In separation, the infant develops an understanding of boundaries of the self, and thus the mother is increasingly viewed as an individual. Meanwhile, individuation marks the development of a sense of self. This consists of four sub-stages:

 

3a: 분화/알을 깨고 나오기(Differentiation/Hatching: 5-9 months) The infant’s primary focus begins to transform from internally focused to externally focused, although the primary point of reference continues to be the mother. This internal process is exemplified by milestones in motor development which physically allow increased separation, such as crawling. The infant becomes increasingly interested in discovering his mother (e.g. how she looks or smells) rather than trying to become symbiotically unified with her.

 

3b: 연습/실천하기(Practicing: 9-14 months) Capacity for separation continues to develop with increased autonomous functions, particularly walking. Although able to explore freely, the child still regards the mother as unified with him/her and thus explores his/her surroundings while keeping within an optimal distance. The child’s experience of the world he or she discovers is influenced by the mother’s reactions and by her availability to sooth when experiences may be frightening or painful.

 

3c: 재접근/화해(Rapprochement: 14-24 months) At this point the child’s desire to achieve independence is marred by a fear of abandonment. Therefore, the child seeks to maintain proximity to the caretaker while engaging in exploration. This stage is essential to the development of a stable sense of self. This includes three sub- stages:

•Beginning: The child returns to the caretaker in order to share experiences and excitement. There is an overarching felon of omnipotence and exuberance.

•Crisis: The child recognizes his/her limitations versus the desire to be all powerful and self sufficient. The child is torn in choosing between physical and emotional proximity to the caretaker or independence. This stage is characterized by temper tantrums and helplessness and thus the need for emotional availability of the mother increases.

•Solution: The child reaches a healthy medium between the two extremes due to language and superego development. If the crisis is not resolved well, there will be an increase in extreme clinging or shunning behaviour.

 

3d: 대상영속성(Object constancy: 24+ months) Successful completion of this phase marks the development of an internalized mental model of the mother, which unconsciously accompanies and supports the child even when they are physically separated. In addition, a sense of individuality begins to develop. The degree of ambivalence in the internalized model implicates the formation of a healthy self concept and self-confidence.

 

For more information, please see:

•www.margaretmahler.org

 

 

References

1.Mahler, M. S. (1968). on Human Symbiosis and the Vicissitudes of Individuation. Infantile Psychosis, Volume 1.

2.Mahler, M. S. (1952). on child psychosis and schizophrenia: autistic and symbiotic infantile psychoses. The psychoanalytic study of the child.

3.Mahler, M. S., Pine, F., & Bergman, A. (2008). The psychological birth of the human infant: Symbiosis and individuation. Basic Books.

 

원자료: David L, "Separation-Individuation Theory of Child Development (Mahler)," in Learning Theories, December 4, 2015,

https://www.learning-theories.com/separation-individuation-theory-of-child-development-mahler.html.