You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
In this paper Dr. Deutsch considers the examples of ego ideal discussed in Murray's paper. The development of the ego ideal represents an oscillation between projection and introjection, the identifications with parents—the interplay between ego ideal and superego. Observation of cultural backgrounds provides us with a better understanding of the differences in ego ideals. In some the
ego ideal is more abstract and internalized, in some it is gratified in action. This may result in varying degrees of sublimation or the expression of the ego ideal more directly in sexual terms. In those whose ego is fixated on precursors of the ego ideal, a typical outcome may be an 'as if' personality whose ego ideal fluctuates according to the object of identification.
Deutsch cites many varieties of ego ideal: one in which the group situation provides the sole outlet for the functioning of the ego ideal; or the 'fragmented ego ideal' cited by Murray and exemplified by the impostor and in the fragmented personality of Lawrence of Arabia. Lord Jim was one who experienced his ego ideal only in fantasy. In other instances reality testing is impaired and the ego succumbs to an inflated ego ideal illustrated in Don Quixotism. Other special variants of ego ideal formation are based on the particular mother-child unit.