Demonstration of Szondi's Ego System Continued.

To complete the demonstration as to the difference  that just a change or the [p+] sign to [p-] the egovector settings just look at the change in striving that [k± p-] is inherent when that is the case.   The setting [k± -] is the restless, variable ego sometimes paroxysmal, embedded in it are the ego possibilities:       1. [k+ p-] (=an adult ego representing the narcissism and omnipotence.)       2. [k- p-] (=the drill ego, the repressed average man's ego.)      3. [k±] (=both, introjection and repression.)            4. [p-] (=unconscious projecting of needs, fears and desires.)    At this point you may wish to object this is getting more complex than you expected, regrettably, you would be correct. In fact if we shifted our demonstration to the [p±] and the [k+] and then [k-] as the opposed, a new series of differently directed strivings would emerge. We may do this demonstration in later in posts dealing with case  specific instances.      But for now, the point to be driven home is; there is a natural order, we can filter it out, set in terms of strivings. The strivings are identifiable by their special characteristics which are those belonging to the psychiatric factor from which it takes its name. For the ego, Szondi coded it 'Sch'.  Its functions are understandable from the projected  unconscious, like and dislike of catatonia and paranoid genotype photos.

The Ego of many psychologists, teachers and other work-a-holics.

From the standpoint of teaching the Szondi Test and making it relivant to the probable reader here  it seems useful to examine the Ego settings common to mind workers of all types psychologists, teachers etc.

With the unfolding of stage VI [k- p+] one cannot from the test findings alone demonstrate the implied claims for the existence of some other regular age related order beyond the stages stated by Susan Deri (SZ Intro’1949).

This new setting represented by the reappearance of narcissistic/Inrojective striving, [k+], but now as part of an ambivalent choice [k±], and when set against [p+] works one way and when set against a [p-] works markedly different.

It was found that the choice [k±p+] was more frequent with those work addicted and those entering the psychology curriculum.  There were also other ego settings found most of which were those embedded within the [k± p+] setting, such as:  [k- p+](=the compulsive ego),  [k+p+] (=the flooded endangered ego) [k±] (= both;  introjection and repression ) [p+] (=rational obcessive strivings ) This seems to suggest that the reappearance of a [k+] prong, (missing for most since early childhood), thus forming a [k±]  was preparatory to the person moving toward an adult stance, with new introjections now directed to the selections  of  love mate choice, new friendships, occupational choice. This finding seemed also useful as demonstration  element, in that, this new setting represented by the reappearance of narcissistic/Inrojective striving, [k+], but now as part of an ambivalent choice [k±], and when set against [p+] works one way and when set against a [p-] works markedly different. [k± p-] Szondi had characterized as the 'paroxysmal ego' because of its  sometimes connection to crimes of passion, a better capsulization term might have been 'volatile ego' and has been found psychologists and others with an  inclination to philosophic views. The remarkable difference tells us of the powerful nature inherent in the [p] paranoia factor and its outcome strivings. For some, (not all) the [k+] appears in puberty and grows markedly more common in adolescence, reaching its peak, we estimate, [lacking good data] in one out of five college attending young adults. Your editor’s impression is, that this also represents what appears to be an intentional, thus ‘will made’ shift to seeking new introjections and fresh identifications. This also corresponds to our knowledge of  [k+] clinical empirics. This is not to say that those not making a [k+] choices and stay [k-] dominant, do not also introject important new ego-ideals and internalized models, it is to say, that they do so on the bases of largely unconsciously made accommodations and acquiescence to what is directly available. Which is another way of phrasing ‘not will made” and therefor what it is they introjected and maintain is mostly build from the external demands and conditioning imposed on them. This is an issue, which one usually associates with the transition to adult stance and the new responsibilities that are involved. Noteworthy is, that those seeking a professional or college enhanced education advance more efficiently when they introject volitionally, new admired personal models, friends, teachers, leaders, subject matter etc. As the introjected image serves in turn to direct them to imitate and try to be their accepted role models.

+, -, ±, 0 Are not In the Szondi Schema math ordinals. They represent a person's choice reactions to the Szondi reagent photos.

[+] = liked.

[-] = disliked.

[±] = both liked and disliked.

[0] = avoided.