EGO and Personality development essays

EGO and Personality development essays The ego, a word that is arbitrarily used by mean, has a quite distinct and significant meaning. Ego development is an aspect of psychology that has been discussed by a number of authors and psychologist. Many different authors have concluded a variety of theories behind the ego and its many stages and its effects upon ones personality. According to Zimbardo (1992) Freuds theory showed that personality differences arise from the different ways in which people deal with their fundamental drives. To explain theses differences, Freud pictured a continuing battle between two antagonistic parts of the personality, the id and the superego. The id is conceived of as the storehouse of the fundamental drives. The superego is considered to be the storehouse of an individuals values, including moral attitudes learned from society. This researcher, a supporter of Freudian psychology and Freudian theory of psychoanalysis, to be unbias will be difficult. This researcher will try to present both the supporters as well as the critics to Freuds theory of the connection between the ego and personality as best possible. One must not evaluate or criticize Freuds theories or to examine them in comparison with other theories unless one completely understands all of the proposed psychological theories. Zimbardo (1992) states that Freuds work assumes that ones personality is shaped and behavior is motivated by powerful inner forces. In addition, Zimbardo suggests that "...Freuds theory of personality boldly attempts to explain the origins and course of personality development, the nature of the mind..." The total personality consists of three systems, the id, the ego, and the superego. In a mentally healthy person, the three systems work in harmony and unity together to form one complete organization. The harmony enables one to create positive transactions with the environment. On the other ...