Identification in Psychotherapy
This is a term often used in the psychoanalytic literature and discourse to refer to the process by which a person identifies with certain aspects of another person, and unconsciously takes the attribute on that they identify with, if not the whole personality structure of the other. Identification is the grounding for the process and phenomenon of introjection, where the individual develops attributes, traits, and characteristics of the other. Read more about introjection elsewhere in these blogs.
Identification merely refers to our seeing aspects of ourselves in the other, or perceiving similarities and thus relating to the other by means of identifying with them under a commonality. You experience this when you identify with a certain group around a shared interest or aspect of your identity. Identification provides a sense of belonging and sharedness with others. This has the benefit of helping to facilitate group cohesion, communal bonding, or forming connections with others. Much like anything though, it is a double-edged sword, and has its downsides in the form of over-identification or identifying with abusers.
Developmentally, identification is necessary in order to learn how to move through the world, and navigate relationships, and begin to form a sense of self and distinction between self and other. Children take on aspects of their caregivers, which provides the basis for their personality and sense of self. In psychoanalytic terms, the superego is formed out of identification with the other. And out of this and through the process of individuation, the ego and self develop to distinguish self from other. This is a complex process, and occurs throughout our lives, and in all our close relationships. You can learn more about the downsides of identification, or the dangers in it, in my post on identification with the aggressor. If you wish to learn more about psychoanalysis and psychotherapy, please check out my other blog posts on various concepts from the field, and how they show up in our lives and impact our mental health and development