Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
13:03
Epigenetic Regulation of Cardiac Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells and Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2016
8.7K
MICHEL DE M'UZAN AND ORIGINS OF IDENTITY.
1Psychiatrist and a psychoanalyst and a member of La Société Psychanalytique de Montréal.
The Psychoanalytic Quarterly
|December 14, 2017
Summary
Michel de M'Uzan introduces the vital-identital concept, proposing two foundational sources for identity: the vital-identital and early environment. This framework unifies ideas under endogenous identity, illustrated with cultural and clinical examples.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychoanalysis
- Identity Formation
Background:
- Traditional identity theories often focus on environmental influences.
- Michel de M'Uzan proposes a dual-source model for understanding identity.
- The concept of endogenous identity is central to this new framework.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and elaborate on Michel de M'Uzan's concept of the vital-identital.
- To present endogenous identity as a unifying concept for foundational identity sources.
- To illustrate the application of de M'Uzan's ideas with practical examples.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of Michel de M'Uzan's earlier and recent psychoanalytic theories.
- Conceptual elaboration of the vital-identital and endogenous identity.
- Application of theoretical concepts to cultural and clinical case studies.
Main Results:
- Identified two equally foundational sources of identity: the vital-identital and the early human environment.
- Introduced the term endogenous identity to encompass the vital-identital concept.
- Demonstrated the utility of de M'Uzan's framework through diverse examples.
Conclusions:
- The vital-identital, alongside environmental factors, forms a crucial basis for identity.
- Endogenous identity offers a comprehensive perspective on identity development.
- De M'Uzan's model provides valuable insights for psychoanalytic and cultural studies.
