Now Little Sigmund’s mother has noticed that little Sigmund plays with one object in particular when she leaves him: a toy unicorn. He gets very upset if she tries to take it away, brings it with him everywhere (including the bathroom!), and finds it rather soothing. In fact, with this little unicorn, he’s less fussy when his mother returns after a temporary absence. What is indicated by the function of this unicorn for little Sigmund? Assimilation of the maternal relationship into little Sigmund’s internal mental state (he knows the mother loves him and will come back) The formation of a transitional object and relative dependence The development of autonomy over the world An attachment to his mother
Now Little Sigmund’s mother has noticed that little Sigmund plays with one object in particular when she leaves him: a toy unicorn. He gets very upset if she tries to take it away, brings it with him everywhere (including the bathroom!), and finds it rather soothing. In fact, with this little unicorn, he’s less fussy when his mother returns after a temporary absence.
What is indicated by the function of this unicorn for little Sigmund?
- Assimilation of the maternal relationship into little Sigmund’s internal mental state (he knows the mother loves him and will come back)
- The formation of a transitional object and relative dependence
- The development of autonomy over the world
- An attachment to his mother
2. The formation of a transitional object and relative dependence
The thory of transitional object is proposed by Donald Winnicott in 1953. Transitional object refers ro those objects to which children develop attachments. Examples of transitional objects include blankets and toys etc. Such objects provide comfort to the children.
In this question, Sigmund also developed strong attachment to the toy unicorn. He takes this toy everywhere and with this toy he is less fussy when his mother returns after a temporary absence. These all show that Sigmund viewed unicorn as a transitional object and he depends on it.
Hence, option 2 is correct.
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps
