PP2 3 Ego psychology

Ego Psychology

A branch of psychology that focuses on the role of the ego in personality development and functioning.

Ego in ego psychology

Constructive and conscious adaptation, has its own energy sources (ego seeds), autonomous

Autonomy of Ego

The independence of the ego from the id and its ability to function effectively in adapting to the environment.

2 spheres of personality functioning by Hartmann

Sphere of conflicts and sphere without conflicts

Sphere of Conflicts

The area of personality functioning that involves handling conflicts of needs and desires. Ego is in connection with id, controls, modifies, and acts on our needs

Sphere without Conflicts

The area of personality functioning that provides a space for adaptation to the environment, which is the ultimate goal of behavior. Involves planning, thinking, using imagination

2 forms of ego-autonomy by Hartmann

Primary (need satisfaction through thinking and planning) and secondary (functions from sphere of conflicts, autonomy from id)

2 basic motives by White

Effectance and competence

Effectance Motive

The drive to have an effect on the environment, associated with active adaptation, proof of autonomous ego energy, becomes competence motive

Competence Motive

The drive to be efficient and effective, reflecting a more complex basis of adaptive functioning, is biologically determined

Block&Block: ego-control and ego-flexibility

Ego-control: to what extent does a person inhibit wishes and needs

ego-flexibility: to what extent can a person change the level of ego-control

Low ego-control

under-controlling: immediate need satisfaction and emotional reactions, rapid changes in interests, constant search for something new, improvisation

High ego-control

over-controlling: constant delaying of need satisfaction, inhibition of immediate emotional responses, narrow but deep interests, organized and conformist lifestyle

Flexible ego-control

being as under-controlling as possible, as over-controlling as needed

To which concepts can we relate ego-control/flexibility?

Router’s locus of control and Seligman’s learnt helplessness

Learned Helplessness

A condition in which a person feels powerless to change a situation because of previous failures.

Role of ego according to Loevinger

synthesize and integrate experiences

Ego Development Loevinger

The process of development of ego’s synthesizing function throughout adulthood.

Phases of Ego Development

9 stages identified by Loevinger that describe the maturation of ego functions through distinct developmental phases: symbiotic, impulsive, self-defensive, conformist, self-conscious, conscientious, individualistic, autonomous, integrated

Symbiotic Phase

The initial stage of ego development where the self is being differentiated from others.

Impulsive Phase

A phase characterized by an undercontrolled ego, motive to have an effect on the world, using and exploiting relationships

Self-Defensive Phase

A stage in which the ego establishes rules to prevent punishment and learns self-control.

Conformist Phase

A phase where individuals internalize social norms and experience shame to conform.

Self-conscious phase

there’s more than one option for the seith (I am like this vs I should be like this)

Conscientious phase

re-evaluation of internal rules: whether they match our core self

Individualistic Phase

A stage focused on personal identity and lifestyle choices.

Autonomous Phase

The stage where individuals prioritize mutual social connections and self-actualization.

Integrated Phase

The final phase of ego development where one effectively manages inner conflicts between needs and expectations.

Ego psychology approach to psychotherapy

Problems stem from poor adaption to the world, focus in therapy is on changing adaptation patterns, time focus is on the present, the therapeutic relationship is consultative