Role of the Mother in Winnicotts Theories: An Analysis

Role of the Mother in Winnicotts Theories An AnalysisHow was the single-valued function of the suffer developed in Winnicotts theories and what is the implication for the cultivation of the pincer? Evaluate this contri moreoverion in relation to thinking today.Donald Winnicott (1896-1971) an English paediatrician and psychoanalyst had a great influence in describing the target bea-relations theory, focalisation on single(a) relationship with the mystify and mystifys post during the transition of cultivational symbolizes in the life of electric razor. Winnicott builds his concepts on Kleins suggestion that the grapheme of sisters environment plays a major social function in their development.The objective-relation theory suggests that an instinctual need is achieved by the agent c anyed the object of instinct, who is usually the closest person in shavers life the gravel. This theory majorly focuses on the tendency to develop a egotism in remarkable relations betwe en individuals as a basis finished which the individual develops. The Object in this object relationship theory is anything/anyone but oneself (Reber, 1995) the maven of self of a baby is defined by the kind-hearted of a relationship that the infant have gots with the object through His or Her love and affection (Mother) the object refers to a person than oneself. There is a determining and critical impact of the quality of attachments with the object and it does not ripe affect the development of a child but withal the future relationships that the child has with others in the future. This development in the child is justified through the trustworthiness of messages communicated by the c aregiver. Love is considered as the main motivation force in human behaviour which also includes development of relationships (Reber, 1995). The balance among love and affection for another(prenominal) and the interest in, and love for self, are formed through emotional bonds between self a nd another individual/object.Winnicott (1965) postulates the idea of primary maternal preoccupation explaining that after giving birth the buzz off becomes so knotted and sensitive to infants inevitably that ein truththing else falls a de stir up in a secondary role. victorious the stages of separation individuation to a high research level Winnicott studies the role of mother (caregiver) in the societal development of the child. He emphasizes on the importance of the mothers ability to intuitively understand the necessitate of the infant at each and every point through the entire process of individuation. The child gives prohibited certain messages and cues the mother decodes these messages and through the same provides the framework of the progress of the child and his progress towards a puritanical level of functioning as an individual. A bully enough mother defines a scenario where the mother is providing a facilitating environment where the growth of a child happens. H e has purposely not used the term accurate in his statement since he believes that only a machine delivers perfection and not a human, and so Winnicott believes that a perfect mother is not a inviolable enough mother.According to Winnicot, a grievous enough mother give the gate identify the needs of the infant and is able to provide a unplayful adaptation to needs. A good enough mother is one who facilitates imaginative elaboration of physical experience for an infant and allows the baby to be totally dependent on her. In case of impingements, the infant undersurface feel going on being with the help of a good enough mother, who aids the development of a child in the transitional phases of life.Winnicott has described three major stages of development. These are the stages of Subjective omnipotence, intention realty and final stage of emancipation. The zones between these stages are a transitional experience for the child and on the nose at this clip, the presence of a mot her is crucial. The quality of the have a bun in the oven catchd by the child during the transitions stage determines the future of the child. It can decide the positive functioning or the lack of it. For Winnicott, the mother plays an important role in the transitional experience as well as the stages of development.Subjective OmnipotenceWhen the child is newly born, the mother takes care of the Childs needs with complete indulgence, where she responds to the cries of a child closely immediately. This state is referred to as the stage of maternal preoccupancy. At such clock, the mother keeps aside her own needs and requirements to insure that she meets the requirements of her infant. She almost instantly responds when the child cries for milk. As a result to this, the infant thinks that he depart immediately receive food at the very moment that he requires it. This illusion of Magical control is a very good example of subjective omnipotence (Rodman, 2003).Winnicotts theory sta tes that the Mothers Breast is seen as the object of love during initial few weeks after birth. It is perceived so as the Mothers tit meets the needs of the childs hunger. During this stage, the object is perceived by the infant as a part of self. Hence, a subjective agenda is developed by the infant with an illusion that the Breast is a part of the infants oneself. In the infants initial development of identity, the illusion of Being-at-one is the first quality in the infants development of an identity. Here the role of the good enough mother is highlighted in the developmental process of the child (Winnicott, 1971).Object realty (Not Me/Other than me)Over a period of time, the child needs its independence hence, the mother distances itself concord to the needs of the child. The child is provided an illusion by the mother that the heart allow appear only in stances of a demand made. Post this stage, she helps the child progress through removal of omnipotence thinking and start s the process of introducing the child to the social world as a separate entity. (Winnicott, 1971)The time lapse between the childs demands and its fulfilment is increased by the mother over time. Winnicott refers to this as the liveure of the mother to meet the childs needs on the spot. At this level the child experiences 2 states, one that of an introduction to independence and the other being frustration to having wait. The good enough mother is called so since she will only fail so much so that the child is left unscathed but is successful in entering the stage of transition. To cope with the failure of the mother and the Childs self frustrated rate, the child will react in the following manner He will recognize that the lapses in time are limited. Awareness will be created in his mind regarding the hotshot of progress. Thumb sucking, which is an auto erotic simulation, will be engaged in by the child in the stage of transition. He will experience various psychological factor s like memories, dreams, relieving previous experiences which can also be referred to as integration of the past, present and future. Mental activities will be developed which will help oneself in deterring the child at times of frustration.At this stage the child will start having ken of separation from mother. The mother makes the infant realize that there is a world outside of oneself which does not necessarily respond to a wish but the object of reality also teaches him that the outside world may respond negatively at times. The child stays safe in the hands of the mother all this while and the mother ensures that the child is not overprotected during this time.If the mother, due to any reason, fails to assist the child at times of transition from this stage to the stage of independence, as an adult, the child will be superficially adjusted and would fail to be passionate and unique. The child is gently ignored by the mother so that he can reach the stage of independence and experience freedom and learn all while providing the child with a safe and secure environment.The Stage of IndependenceAt this stage, the never absolute stage of final independence is achieved. An important distinction between pure independence and never absolute independence is necessary in an individuals life to both depend on others and be dependent on others. Others guild or a social circle is desired by an individual and feels the need for belongingness. A firm Psyche does not support isolation or is not supported by isolation but in spite of that none of us is over dependent on each other.Ones the child grows to be an individual and is separated from the mother, the holding environment acts as a safe junction through which the child can start the process of exploring the world all whilst having the knowledge that he is being provided the protection and support by the mother. For a childs healthy development, this kind of a holding environment is super necessary. The childs cues are recognized and worked upon by the mother whilst recognizing what he needs of the child are in respect with the holding environment and adapts to it accordingly.The child is provided with an environment of protection and safety through which the infant can develop from a child to adulthood. The process is supported by an optimal environment which makes sense through the fact that the good enough mother tunes in with the childs development needs intuitively all whilst adopting both, the environment and her hand in the development of the child, the rate of which is determined by the child.The good enough mothers knows exactly regarding gradual adjustment of distance between herself and the child that this process cannot be sharp since the child would develop feeling of insecurity and no trust in others. The good enough mothers is in tune with her childs escalation towards an independent self and moves at the childs pace quite a than her own. If everything works well accordin g to the childs needs, he develops an ego and the differentiation process is continue until the child can perceive that the mother is an independent being with clarity.Winnicotts concept of aline self and false self suggests that the childs true self growth and expression is facilitated by the good mother and helps the child to be spontaneous and creative (Rodman, 2003). The true self behaves spontaneously, develops on integrity and believes that the true self is not created. The false self is similar to a mask which is worn by a person in a society in compliance with its norms like being quiet in setting that require silence around, being respectful to elders and so on. The not good enough mother wears this mask while responding to the child and in return the child adapts it as his false self. New relationships are developed by the child as its false self adapting to the demands of the environment with compliance.The role of a mother in the development of a child is of high import ance to decide the future identity of the child and whether it grows into a secure or insecure adult. The mother plays major role in the transition and developmental stages which is also known as the objective role.In our days the mother role plays the same noteworthy importance in the development of the child however the society and culture have shaped this role raising a multitude of demands on women. Many mothers engage in the desire of having a action career becoming less involved in the developmental stages of their children. Many children are too archean placed in nurseries and day care centres as mothers return to work. Like Winnicott suggests, an absent mother will determine children to either grow up confused, non-passionate and psychologically affected individuals or according to the rule of self development, will grow up to be individuals who have succeeded through self development. other issue could be represented by the option of not nursing the infants in a raw(a) way, but feeding them with formula milk. This fact could lead to the loss of bondage, security and love between mother and child.On the other side, technology and the multitude of equipments facilitate mothers ability to crate safe and stimulating settings for their children.The quality of early parental styles and the development of the child in relationship with others is associated with maternal attachment and is entirely amenable for the development of a child into a secure adult.ReferencesChanging Minds, 2013. The good Enough Mother online procurable at http//changingminds.org/disciplines/psychoanalysis/concepts/good-enough_mother.htm Accessed on 21nd April 2014Phenomenological Psychology, 2009. Winnicott the false self and contemporary media celebrity. Online Available at http//phenomenologicalpsychology.com/2009/05/winnicott-the-false-self-and-contemporary-media-celebrity/ Accessed on twenty-second April 2014Reber, A. (1995). Dictionary of psychology, (2nd ed.). London Peng uin books.Rodman, F. R (2003) Winnicott Biography life and work. Cambridge, Persus Books.Winnicott, D (1965) The International Psycho-Analytical Library, 641-276. London The Hogarth compress and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis.Winnicott, D (1971) Playing and reality. England Penguin books.Winchester.ac.uk, 2011. Donald Winnicotts contribution to understand children and parenting. Online available at http//www2.winchester.ac.uk/edstudies/courses/level%20one%20sem%20one/es1204w7Winnicott.htm Accessed on 22nd April 2014