EGO STATES

     The human personality is most correctly seen as a collection of distinct behavioral entities called ego states.  Each one is a coherent system of thought and/or feeling manifested by corresponding patterns of behavior.⁽¹⁾    In TA, structural and functional analysis involve the defining of the characteristics of these states within the individual.  There are three general or second order ego states in the adult personality; two of which contain subdivisions to give several separate "subpersonalities."  Usually, only one of these can be in control of behavior at any  one time (referred to as being in the executive); although, another of these ego states may be simultaneously conscious as an observer, unable to affect muscular control or communication.  The internal dialogue (inner voices) that most of us experience is the communication between two simultaneously conscious ego states.

     The diagrammatic representation of the human personality below will serve as a reference, while reading the next few sections, to help to visualize the concept of ego states.

	SECOND ORDER PARENT  (P2)             CONSCIENCE           NURTURE           LEARNED FEELING RESPONSES           PROTECTION           INTIMACY
	SECOND ORDER ADULT  (A2)             RATIONALITY           LOGICAL AWARENESS           MATURE LANGUAGE SKILLS           COMPUTATION           LINEAR ASSOCIATION
	SECOND ORDER CHILD  (C2)         FIRST ORDER PARENT         (PRIMITIVE PARENT, PIG-PARENT)                     JUVENILE CONSCIENCE                      CONTROL                      OPPRESSION           FIRST ORDER ADULT         (LITTLE PROFESSOR)                       INTUITION                       CHILD LANGUAGE SKILLS                       CREATIVE AWARENESS         FIRST ORDER CHILD         (NATURAL CHILD, PRINCE/PRINCESS)                         ORIGINAL/ESSENTIAL SELF                        SOVEREIGN FEELINGS                        SPONTANEITY / INTIMACY

                     

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