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Psychosynthesis Essay - Ego Development and the Self

When considering developmental psychology many questions come to mind when trying to explain human development. Maturity can form many guises - in the form of physical, social, psychological and cognitive changes within the individual. Are these developments independent of one another or is the progression of maturity inter-linked? In attempt to answer these questions one must consider if development is a conscious or unconscious process. A great body of evidence suggests that both levels of consciousness are present throughout human life. Whether these changes are physical, social, psychological and cognitive, these changes may represent conscious or unconscious growth. An element of understanding one's own personal growth is to have an awareness of how the 'Self' is perceived and developed. The self is essential to the representation of one's personality - for example how one subjectively sees themselves in relation to the world around them. The self is built up of unconscious and conscious elements - the Id, the Ego and the Superego (Freud). The Id represents the self's impulsive and unconscious part to personality. The Superego is also unconscious and plays the opposing role of the id, with high morals to control the individual's impulsive behaviour. It is the ego that plays the conscious part of personality and acts as a mediated version between the id and superego's demands. The ego is what is presented to the outside world. Therefore, a good understanding of ego development is essential for any psychosynthesis counsellor to have, in the presence of a client that is struggling with issues or concerns affecting or influencing the perception of themselves in relation to others. A psychosynthesis counsellor may see clients with self-esteem issues, low self-confidence or personality disorder traits. An understanding of how these circumstances may have arrived is vital to understanding how the professional can...