The term “symbolizing function” refers to the actions of the brain mechanisms that produce symbols. The ontogenesis of the symbolizing function is a product of an interplay between the biological maturation of the brain and shaping developmental influences contributed by the environment.

The latency age period encompasses the confluence of two processes: the experience of childhood and the traversal of the developmental defile from which will issue the characteristics of adulthood. Those who assess the latency-age child must be alert to impediments to and digressions from normal and effective functioning in both processes.

Using earlier impressions as a source, memories shape the representations used to interpret the world. Affects associated with recall of these memories activate denial. Substitute formations (symbols) to which attention is directed in response to denial populate the memory contents that shape conscious psychic reality.

Poor reality testing in the area of response and an intensified impact of reality in the interpersonal area introduce conflicts that cannot be resolved in reality. The age appropriate cognitive function of the early latency child enables the resolution of this conflict through the intensified use of repression, fragmentation, and displacement. These defenses produce psychoanalytic symbols. The synthesis of such symbols into distracting fantasy patterns, becomes a primary adjustment technique in childhood.

The symbolic forms, which are accessible to scientific study, are the natural (simple and cryptic) symbols. They can be defined, their characteristics described, and their existence recognized by scientifically trained workers.

It is possible for that which is conscious in one cognitive system to be unavailable to another system. Indeed it is common for the symbols of one system to be unavailable to another system. This is typified by the experience of forgetting dreams and psychotic hallucinations when awakening or returning to reality.

Psychoanalytic symbol formation occurs when there is repression of awareness of the relationship between the affect of a referent and the masking symbol that represents it. Repression in this situation results when attention (cathexis) is displaced from affect charged referents to similar though less affect charged representations. Their relative affect neutrality permits their use as symbols in consciousness.

The Use of Symbols in the Late Series Paintings of Thomas Cole with Links to Changes in Cole’s Personality.

Reality as it is sensed by the mind is the product of interpretation applied to perception of sensation both internal and external.