Page 99 - Communication and the Evolution of Society

76 Communication and Evolution of Society

Schema 1. Stages of Ego Development
(according to Jane Loevinger)

Impulse control
and character Interpersonal Conscious
Stage development style preoccupation

Presocial Autistic
Symbiotic Symbiotic Self vs. nonself

Impulse ridden ‘Impulse ridden, Exploitive; Bodily feelings,
fear of retalia- dependent especially
tion sexual and
aggressive
Opportunistic Expedient, fear Exploitive, Advantage,
of being manipulative, control
caught zero-sum-game

Conformist Conformity to Reciprocal, Things,
external rules, superficial appearance,
shame reputation

Conscientious Internalized Intensive, Differentiated
rules, responsible inner feelings,
guilt achievements.
traits

Autonomous Coping with Intensive Ditto, role con-
concern for
inner conflict, autonomy ceptualization,

toleration of
development,
differences
self-fulfillment

Ditto,
Integrated
Reconciling
Ditto, identity
cherishing of
inner conflicts,
renunciation of
individuality
unattainable
Source: Jane Loevinger, “The Meaning and Measurement of Ego Development,”
American Psychologist, 21 (1966): 198.