Ego Development
Major Theorist
Jane Loevinger
From Jane Loevinger (1976), comes a theory with Freudian roots. Loevinger's theory is similar to Erikson's Psychosocial development theory, but Loevinger felt that one theory had to be completed before a person could move to the next level. When and how we move along Loevinger's stages varies from person to person (Bjorklund & Bee, 2008).
| Loevinger's Stages of Ego Development |
| |
Characteristics |
Level
|
Impulse Control
|
Interpersonal Mode |
Conscious Preoccupation |
| Impulsive |
Impulsive |
Egocentric, dependent |
Bodily feelings |
| Self-protective |
Opportunistic |
Manipulative, wary |
"Trouble," control |
| Conformist |
Respect for rules |
Cooperative, loyal |
Appearances, behavior |
| Self-aware |
Exceptions allowable |
Helpful, self-aware |
Feelings, problems, adjustments |
| Conscientious |
Self-evaluated standards, self-critical |
Intense, responsible |
Motives, traits, achievement |
| Individualistic |
Tolerant |
Mutual |
Individuality, development, roles |
| Autonomous |
Coping with conflict |
Interdependent |
Self-fulfillment, psychological causation |
Taken from Bjorklund & Bee, 2008
A sentence-completion test has been developed which can test the stages of ego development. In studies done using the test, individuals with higher ego development scores demonstrated an integrative theme of development. That is, they had new perspectives on themselves and others (Bjorklund & Bee, 2008).
Citations
Bjorklund, B. R. & Bee, H. L. (2008). The Journey of Adulthood, 6th ed., Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Loevinger, J. (1976). Ego development. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Web Links
http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/loevinger.html
From an advanced seminar, a student's reflection on Loevinger.
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