In psychology, there is such an important concept as ego identity. The publication will tell you what it is and how it is formed. It is immediately worth noting that this term has nothing to do with egoism.
What does ego mean?
First you need to figure out what the ego is. Most often this term is mentioned in psychoanalysis. The ego is the internal essence of man, responsible for perception, memorization, contacts with society and assessment of the world. This helps a person to separate himself from everything else, to accept himself as an independent and individual being.
Identity Definitions
In psychology, ego identity is a multifaceted concept. When they talk about him, they also mention the concepts of identity and identification. So, B. G. Meshcheryakov and V. P. Zinchenko in the “Psychological Dictionary” propose to consider the following definitions.
- Regarding cognitive processes, this is the establishment of the identity of the object, its recognition.
- From the point of view of psychoanalysis, identity is a process built on the basis of emotional connections. Thanks to them, a person acts as if he is the person with whom he compares himself.
- In social psychology, identification is the process of identifying oneself with another person.
- This self-image is a fictional character, due to which a deeper understanding of the work of art occurs.
- This is an attribution to any person of their thoughts, motives, feelings and traits.
- This is one of the types of psychological defense, which consists in unconsciously likening to something that causes anxiety or fear.
- According to the theory of “I-concept”, a group ego-identity is an identity in which a person identifies himself with any social group, a large or small community, accepting its goals and values, considering himself a member of it.
- Also called the property of the property of the psyche to express a representation of belonging to various national, linguistic, racial, social, religious, economic, political, professional and other groups that have certain properties.
Thus, a general definition can be formulated. In psychology, ego-identity is the continuity and identity of the "I", the integrity of the personality, which is maintained, despite the changes that occur in the process of its development and growth. That is, as one grows up, a person understands that he remains the same, himself.
Sight of Freud
Representatives of psychoanalysis have always been more interested in the inner ego. Sigmund Freud believed that instincts and drives are the driving force of man. According to the scientist, the ego is a highly organized structure that is responsible for its integrity and memory. The “I” protects the psyche from unpleasant memories and situations, using protective mechanisms. Then the person begins to act on the basis of the information received.
The concept of E. Erickson
In general, the term "ego-identity" was introduced into science by the German psychologist Eric Erickson. He based on Freudian theories developed his concept, which had significant differences. Attention was focused on age periods.
According to Erickson, the task of the ego is to ensure the normal development of the personality. "I" is able to improve throughout life, help to cope with internal conflicts and correct the incorrect formation of the psyche. Although Erickson views the ego as a separate substance, at the same time he believes that it is inextricably linked with the social and somatic part of the personality.
The scientist in his theory pays special attention to the period of childhood. This period of time allows a person to develop mentally and get a good start for further self-improvement. Erickson believes that in childhood there is a significant drawback. This is the baggage of irrational fears, anxieties and experiences that directly affect the quality of subsequent development.
The basic concept in theory is ego-identity, in other words, the integrity of the personality. Its formation begins from birth and passes through life, until the death of a person. Erickson distinguishes eight stages of psychosocial development. If a person passes them successfully, a full-fledged functional personality is formed.
Each stage is accompanied by a crisis. By him, Erickson understands the moment that arises as a result of achieving a certain stage of psychological maturity and the accompanying social requirements that are put forward to the individual at one or another phase of formation. The crisis of ego identity is the risk of losing it. If the conflict is not resolved, then the ego is injured, gets hurt. Then identity, integrity and belief in one's own social role decrease or even disappear. But there is a positive component in the crisis. If the conflict is resolved satisfactorily, then the ego gets a new positive quality, which guarantees a healthy personality formation in the future.
That is, it is necessary that a close group and society contribute to the adequate passage of each identity crisis. Only then can a person fully transition to the next phases of self-improvement.
Next, all eight stages will be separately considered. This is infancy, early childhood, the period of play, school age, youth, early, middle and late maturity.
Infant age
The formation of ego identity occurs already in infancy. This stage of development conventionally lasts from birth to one year. At this time, the baby goes through a crisis of basal trust-distrust. If a mother and other close associates during infancy will not provide the child with enough attention, love and care, then such qualities as suspicion and timidity will form in him. Moreover, they will manifest themselves and make themselves felt even during adulthood. If the mother is sufficiently engaged in the baby and shows love, then in the future he will trust people and the world as a whole. The environment will be perceived in a positive way. You can usually talk about the favorable passage of the crisis, if the child calmly endures the disappearance of the mother from sight. Because he knows that she will come back again and take care of him.
That is, in adulthood, a person will trust or not trust society, just as he trusted or did not trust his mother in infancy. However, this quality continues to be formed in the subsequent stages. For example, when a child witnesses the divorce of constantly conflicting parents, previously acquired basal trust may be lost.
Early childhood
It lasts from a year to three years. At this stage, the crisis moment of ego-identity manifests itself in the formation of autonomy or doubt and shame.
In early childhood, the baby develops mental and motor needs that contribute to independence. The child learns to walk, master the subject environment and do everything without anyone's help. If parents give such an opportunity, providing freedom, then the confidence is strengthened in the kid that he owns himself, his motives, muscles and environment. So he gradually becomes independent.
Sometimes adults are in a hurry and try for the child to do what he himself would do perfectly without their help. As a result, such qualities as indecision and bashfulness are fixed in the child. Naturally, they negatively affect future life. Therefore, it is important for parents to be patient and give the baby the opportunity to do something on their own.
"Age of the game"
It lasts from about three to six years. During this period, the formation of ego-identity can follow the path of initiative or guilt.
In preschool age, children usually already do a lot themselves, show enterprise and activity, seek to communicate with a wide range of people. If parents encourage this, do not interfere with fantasies, and answer endless questions of the child, then he favorably passes the crisis of identity at this stage.
If adults constantly pull the baby, forbid something to ask, invent and arrange noisy games, then he begins to feel guilt, his own worthlessness and loneliness. Subsequently, it can develop into a pathology, fixing in a child passivity, psychopathic behavior and even frigidity (or impotence). Children who have not overcome the crisis at this stage become dependent, led, indecisive. They cannot stand up for themselves and do not strive for anything.
School age
This stage is conditionally equated to the age of 6-12 years. On this segment of the life path, children begin to learn, try to needlework, design and build something. Often they fantasize about different professions.
Here, the favorable development of ego identity implies the presence of public approval. If the child is praised for creativity and activity, then this will help develop abilities and become hardworking. If parents and teachers do not do this, then this will contribute to the formation of inferiority. At this stage, the identity of the student can be represented by the phrase: "I am what I could learn."
Youth period
It corresponds to the age of 12-19 years. This is the time of active physiological changes, aspirations to find your life philosophy and look at the world around you in your own way. A teenager begins to ask questions such as “Who am I?”, “What do I want to become?”
The most complete form of ego identity is formed at the age of 12-19 years. Also at this stage the deepest crisis begins. If it cannot be overcome, then role mixing will occur. It can be characterized by restlessness and disorientation in oneself. Therefore, it is important to help the teenager create a consistent and uniform image of themselves. After all, it was this period that Erickson considered the most central in the development of social and psychological well-being.
Early maturity
The age of 20-25 years is a kind of gateway to a new adult life, as Erickson himself said. As a rule, during this period, people receive a profession, meet with the opposite sex, and sometimes marry.
Whether there will be a failure or a positive outcome at this stage directly depends on the success of passing through all the previous stages. If the crisis of identity is overcome, then a person will be able to take care of another individual, will love and respect him, without fear of losing himself. This is what scientists call the achievement of intimacy. With the unfavorable development of ego identity at this stage, a person isolates himself. He will become lonely, he has no one to care about and no one to share his life with.
Middle maturity
This is a very extensive period, which takes the age range from 26 to 64 years. Here the essence of the crisis is the choice between self-absorption (inertness) and productivity (focus on humanity). In the second case, a person gets a job or is engaged in what allows you to take care of the future of society. If a person remains inert, then he focuses only on himself, on his own comfort, satisfaction of his needs and requirements. It would seem that for the era of global consumption, this should be considered the norm. However, choosing such a pole, a person often feels the meaninglessness of life.
Late maturity
This is the last stage in the development of ego identity according to Erickson. It lasts from 65 years until death. At this age, old age sets in, which is considered the most favorable time for reflection, summing up, analysis of failures and achievements. A person can understand that he did not live his life in vain, he succeeded, and everything suits him. Erickson called this awareness a sense of ego integrity. It can be considered a favorable overcoming of the crisis.
However, some old people begin to despair because of the results. They are embraced by a sense of hopelessness, because they did not use all the possibilities, did not correct any mistakes. They conclude that their life was generally meaningless. It is in this situation that people are very afraid of the impending imminent death. In this case, it’s not too late to rethink everything and do something really necessary and useful.
findings
Eric Erickson, developing the concept of Sigmund Freud, developed his own unique theory. The emphasis in it is on the formation of a conscious, full-fledged personality. He was also the first to formulate a definition of the term ego-identity. In psychology, this is the integrity of the personality, which develops from birth to death. It is customary to single out eight stages of identity formation, each of which is accompanied by a certain crisis. The success of overcoming them depends on whether a person will perceive himself as an integral, full-fledged individual or not. The main role in the formation of this quality is played by parenting. At subsequent stages of development, the environment begins to influence.