Psychological Insights: From Early Development to Adult Love

Early Human Development: From Symbiosis to Self

The Symbiotic Phase and Individuation

Initially, the baby's body blends with the environment. At this symbiotic point, the mother does not perceive the baby as a being distinct from herself; she calms and protects it. The process of individuation involves differentiating one's image from others and other things in the world. In many respects, similar to Piaget's theories, it is through the body that the relationship between internal and external is formed.

The Mirror Phase and Symbolic Capacity

As the baby matures, it recognizes exteroceptive images through a process called the mirror phase, which involves the perception of images. Initially, the child does not grasp the relationship between image and object; they do not perceive that the image depends on the person. These are independent yet overlapping realities. To develop body consciousness, the first step in the mirror stage is to differentiate the image and appearance of reality from reality itself, and from the actual things experienced by the body. To achieve this, the baby must develop symbolic capacity.

Sexual Identity in Modern Times

Obiols on Sexual Ambiguity

Obiols states that sexual ambiguity is a characteristic of our time. He suggests that this attraction to bisexuality is evident in the artistic field, as he describes.

Evolving Societal Expectations

The exclusively heterosexual model, often displayed and imitated through mass media, was once prevalent. However, the expectation for individuals to acquire a clear sexual identity by adulthood has lost much of its clarity.

Erich Fromm's Philosophy of Love

Love as the Answer to Human Existence

For the psychologist Erich Fromm, love is defined as the answer to the problem of human existence. To speak of love is to speak of human existence and the human feeling of being alone in the world, in a defined situation but with an uncertain future.

Overcoming Separateness Through Union

For Fromm, separateness refers to the fundamental division that exists between individuals and causes distress. Individuals strive to overcome this separateness, which is achieved through interpersonal union.

The Paradox of Adult Love

In some relationships, individuals establish a symbiotic bond where they lose their individual identities. In contrast, an adult love relationship should preserve one's own identity and individuality. Therefore, love is described as a paradox: becoming one with the beloved, yet simultaneously maintaining individual identity. This is because, as Fromm explains, love is active; it is to give. And giving, without doubt, does not mean neglecting one's own desires.