EIDETIC IMAGERY

Children before the age of three generally do not recognize their own mirror image as being that of themselves. Thus, Lacan theorized, seeing one's "self" in a mirror is a critical point of development in constructing one's own self image. It is in this moment that it becomes possible for the child to have ego-development. Note, though, that in contrast to humanistic or ego-centered psychology, Lacanian theory declares that it is in the moment of the formation of the "ego" that our pathological fates are sealed. It is the reflexive ability that is garnered by a child's identification of itself with the gestalt of its mirror image which allows it to self-evaluate and self-interpret that is the underlying condition for the possibility of all of the transitivity and aggressivity that characterizes human life. (ref: Mirror Stage)

Chimps can recognize their image in a mirror. Children can too. Not everything has to be learned.

i was watching a programme on this a few days ago, a guy working with primates and mirrors, who used the paint test fredjones mentioned and also he would hide food out of the apes line of sight but where it could be seen with a mirror and the apes developed the ability to recognise the reflection for what it was. although while they could recognise the reflection of the food, most of them still didnt register the other ape as themselves. then he strated working with toddlers using the paint test, it was really interesting watching the idea of self develop. when they were really young they just saw another baby and tried to interect with it and crawl into the mirror, then there was a stage where they didn't like the mirror because they couldn't connect properly with the other child which apparently all children go through, they avoid eye contact with themselves and are quite upset by the reflection. then finally they recognised the image as a reflection of themselves when they were around 3 or 4 i think.