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December 18, 1956. THE 'EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE' AS A BIOLOGICAL CONCEPT. Laci Fessler, M.D.
The common denominator of somatic and psychic functions is the mastering of irritations. Superego, ego, and id are established psychological points of reference, and in the soma certain systems offer parallels to these three psychic institutions. Common to all somatic and psychological changes is 'a biological change operating in the service of the regulating principle and adjusted to the economic needs of the organism'. Criteria of an exceptional performance are described in the following terms: intensity of the irritation; the irritation usually stimulates more than one organic system; the exceptional performance satisfies a biological need and is goal directed; it is ego syntonic; it consists of a set of responses that usually controls the whole condition. The working of one organic system preponderates to such an extent that all the reactions are tuned to it accordingly; the exceptional performance implies a greater variability than the average reaction. Pregnancy is cited as the outstanding example of an exceptional performance. The orgasm is also under the impact of somatic changes. There are certain normal psychological conditions in which one functional unit—superego, ego, or id—controls the individual's behavior.
As an example of an exceptional performance ensuing from preponderance of the ego, the author describes humor; from preponderance of the superego,