The projective identification is the fact of projecting on a object characteristics to recognize itself there.

It is in the beginning a Mechanism of defense introduces by Melanie Klein in 1946 to identify a phenomenon joining together identification (to recognize itself, as in a mirror) and projection (to make endorse its feelings driven back with an external element).

Authors as Bion distinguished from this pathological projective identification a normal projective identification, concept which took importance.

Types

The projective identification is included/understood like multiple. It is described by Hanna Segal like: Result of the projection of the parts of self in an object. It can lead so that the object is perceived like having acquired the characteristics of the part of self projected in him, but it can also lead it to oneself to be identified with the object of its projection.

Normal projective identification

The identification projection rests mainly on the anal Sadisme (to reject on outside what is bad), but Melanie Klein also binds it to oral sadism (to empty the body of the mother of what is good and desirable).

Poles

Three poles with the projective identification:

• To communicate emotional, emotional states.
• to get rid of perturbing mental contents by projecting it in a object and to control it by controlling this object.
• To penetrate the interior of an object to take possession of it or to degrade it.

Stake

The projective identification will be also included/understood like precursor of development S psychic more advanced.

• It is the base of the model of formation of Symbole. See also primary Symbolization.
• It is the first form of Empathie.

Pathological projective identification

The projective identification becomes pathological if it is not transitory any more but a means of disavowal.

It also can, especially in the pathological cases, being a form of aggression in particular when the object of this identification is a person. Donald Meltzer distinguishes this case, by proposing the term of intrusive Identification, identification which substitutes for the real person what the mechanism of defense has need to perceive some. The concept of projective identification is in particular employed to disentangle the transfer psychotic. Pathological projective identification, according to Bion, conduit with the formation of odd objects. Herbert Rosenfeld develops, clarifies and widens this concept.

See too

the Dictionary of the Psychoanalysis of Jean-Bertrand Pontalis and Jean Laplanche

Related articles

• Identification, schizo-paranoid Projection
• Position
• Transgénérationnel

External bonds

References

• Melanie Klein, Notes on some schizoid mechanisms , 1946.
• Melanie Klein, the identification (1955), in Desire and gratitude and other tests.
• Hanna Segal, Introduction to the work of Melanie Klein , 1964, PUF 1969.
• Albert Ciccone, unconscious psychic Transmission. Projective identification and phantasm of transmission" , ED.: Dunod, 2000, ISBN 2100038125
• Herbert Rosenfeld 1965
• Wilfred Bion: " Reflection faite" PUF, 1983, ISBN 2130376045
• Leon Grinberg and Shine-Fernando Crespo. " Projective identification in the Psychoses " , Harmattan, 2003, ISBN 2747543978

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