Development: Mahler's separation-individuation: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Development: Mahler's separation-individuation

Sample item

A toddler of 18 months alternates between clinging to the mother and pushing her away, wanting both closeness and independence. In Mahler's scheme, this subphase is

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Rapprochement

Mahler's phases are normal autism, symbiosis, and separation-individuation, which includes differentiation (about 5 to 9 months), practising (9 to 16 months), rapprochement (16 to 24 months) and on the way to object constancy. Rapprochement shows ambivalence between autonomy and the need for the mother. Difficulty here is linked to borderline pathology.

Option by option

  • A. Rapprochement (correct)

    Correct. Ambivalent clinging and pushing away at 16 to 24 months is rapprochement.

  • B. Practising

    Practising is joyful exploration at a distance from the mother.

  • C. Autistic phase

    The autistic phase is the first weeks of life.

  • D. Differentiation

    Differentiation is early hatching and awareness of separateness.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Rapprochement. Mahler's phases are normal autism, symbiosis, and separation-individuation, which includes differentiation (about 5 to 9 months), practising (9 to 16 months), rapprochement (16 to 24 months) and on the way to object constancy.

Why is "Practising" not the answer?

Practising is joyful exploration at a distance from the mother.

Why is "Autistic phase" not the answer?

The autistic phase is the first weeks of life.

Why is "Differentiation" not the answer?

Differentiation is early hatching and awareness of separateness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Development: Mahler's separation-individuation in Psychiatry. Rapprochement shows ambivalence between autonomy and the need for the mother. Difficulty here is linked to borderline pathology.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Development: Mahler's separation-individuation?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.