Transitivism
is a psychoanalytic concept suggested by Charlotte Buhler
to designate a special kind of identification often observed with small
children. With transitivism we identify with the other in a manner that mirrors
(that is reversing) our own image. Lacan associated this reversal with the
function of what he called "the mirror stage". He argued that
trasivitism demonstrates the confusion between the I and the other which
is a part of imaginary identification.
Some additional books to help you better your understanding of Lacan's theory and terminology:
