the period in which the mother is seen as a separate human being sets the stage for the development of a sense of self. this is becayse it is possible for a child to suppose that the mother is in some respects like self and can then discern those elements of the mother's personality. this process of incorporation takes place through what is termed 'identification'. in identification the infant or child unconsciously takes on an observed characteristic by internalising it and imitating it. For example,the infant and child sees the the mother behaving affectiontely. what is seen is taken in and then used as the basis for imitating the mother's affectionate behaviour