The Development of Self

Abstract

Early life experiences shape the specific patterns of neuronal branching and synapse formation. Neuronal connections are reorganized according to the frequency of their utilization. Anatomical, physiological, and neurochemical changes take place throughout life in a complex interplay with surrounding forces to continuously shape behavior, knowledge base, and skills of the individual. Brain plasticity allows for great adaptability but can be detrimental for infants and young children who are highly vulnerable to the long-ranging impacts of adversities and traumatic events. The development of the self and the formation of self-representations take place in a continuous process between the infant and his primary caregivers. These processes are based on interpersonal communications with all their asymmetrical needs, desires, and satisfactions. The infant’s emotional self-regulation is dependent on the affect-regulatory interactions with primary caregivers. The “true” self is a kind of a hereditary potential or constitutive core and permits—under suitable environmental conditions—the experience of a continuity of being. Any threat to the true self causes an all-encompassing vital anxiety at early developmental stages of an infant. The “false” self is an early form of defense against impingements of the environment or lack of protection by primary caregivers from outside attacks. Formation and function of a “false” self are linked to the loss of the subject’s authenticity and prevents the development of individuation-and autonomy processes. Infant research demonstrates the major influences of family relationships on child development. The observation of parent–child interactions in behavioral and emotional aspects marked an important step in understanding the infant and child’s self-formation and-maturation and associated disorders. Parenthood is based on the notion of kinship in its dual biological and social dimensions. What constitutes the parents’ intrapsychic reality will unfold in fantasized and emotional interactions with the baby, then the child, by intersubjective exchanges and interpersonal relationships and thus contribute to the attachment-modalities of the young child to his parents and family.