Young people in France and their uses of computer: a potential space? (original) (raw)

Our text looks at the potential space hypothesis: what is it about domestic multimedia spaces that can also be considered as transitional spaces in which the identity of each person is played, replayed and rebuilt? We firstly present our psychoanalysis orientated methodology. We then investigate the transference processes in action in this research context. With these research elements having been posed, we analyze the gathered material, especially the pictures of the student's domestic multimedia spaces. In this framework, the PC seems to have the status of a transitional object according to Winnicott's works. This object is linked with cyberspace through a digital tie which can be analogically considered as reproducing the structure of the mother-child relationship described in particular by Melanie Klein. We therefore endeavor to present the relevance of the potential space concept in order to attempt a better understanding of young people's domestic multimedia space in a psychoanalytical perspective.