Unfolding of Identifications: Repetition and Change in Identity Formation

One of the frequent observations made with patients during psychoanalytic therapy is the appearance of patterns of behavior at certain specific times of their lives—patterns which repeat, often in an uncanny way, similar patterns of behavior of significant people in their childhood. Trying to understand this common observation, I have arrived at the formulation of the concept of unfolding of identification. To state the topic briefly: it is the appearance of attitudes, traits, behavior in the life of an adult individual at certain periods of his existence, attitudes which didn't seem to manifest themselves before and which represent old and often forgotten identifications with significant people in his past.

This phenomenon which I call unfolding of identifications can be observed in a developmental sequence. It has a time dimension and occurs sometimes as a response to a new important maturational or social period in the life of the individual. It is as if memories of previous identifications needed the proper stimulus to unfold, or to speak in ethological terms, to be released.

Identity formation is a process which continues all through life. In this I share Erikson's (1959) view that from cradle to grave the human being passes through different life cycles, that identity is continuously formed and changed.

However, Erikson's (1959) assumption that the usefulness of identification ends where identity formation begins needs further exploration.

In the life of an adult the relative role and intensity of identification mechanisms end as well as the models of identification change. However, even in the adult stage identifications follow developmental lines.

Identifications at this period can occur between marital partners, parents with their children, with friends, co-workers, with a group or ideology.

The identifications may be transient, or permanent, adding a new facet to the adult personality.