EGO IDEAL IN THE SOME CONSIDERATIONS : REGARDING THE : GRETE L. BIBRINC, M.D. PSYCHOANALYTIC PROCESS :

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1 SOME CONSIDERATIONS : REGARDING THE : GRETE L. BIBRINC, M.D. EGO IDEAL IN THE PSYCHOANALYTIC PROCESS : F OR MANY YEARS the ego ideal had played a role of minor importance in our considerations as compared with the interest devoted to the discussions on the superego. As a consequence it had remained less well defined or defined in tentative, varying, and often contradictory ways, and not until lately has it held a firmer position among our theoretical concepts. There existed an ambiguity which has also found its expression in print, as when we read:... the superego (ego ideal) or... ideal ego, ego ideal (1, 2, 3). Nor have the functions which we ascribed to the ego ideal been sufficiently elaborated and integrated in the course of our advancing clinical observations, and our current usage of the term does not quite match and has not been adjusted to earlier formulations.1 If we attempt to specify some of the properties which we ascribe to the ego ideal on the basis of our clinical work, we may emphasize especially the following characteristics: its predominantly narcissistic features, its function as a guide to ego and superego; but in contrast to the pressures and threats of punishment which we relate to the superego, the ego ideal seems to exert its pull by holding forth a promise: and that genetically it derives its strength mainly from positive libidinal strivings in contrast to the superego, in which aggressive forces prevail. However, in spite These comments are based on the discussion of a paper Narcissism and the Ego Ideal, by John M. Murray, presented before the Boston Psychoanalytic Society, March 27, See, e.g.. Nunberg s discussion of the ego ideal as the protective, friendly aspect of the superego (6). 517

2 518 CRETE L. BIBRING of the contrasting aspects with which we distinguish them from each other, we at the same time maintain a close relationship between them. Hartmann and Loewenstein (4) have discussed the ego ideal in its normal form most successfully and completely, To summarize their statements: the ego ideal represents the remnants of the narcissistic self-image of the early phase of omnipotence combined with the idealized aspects of the loved parental image that has been introjected. It belongs to and must be integrated into the system superego and neutralized by a healthy ego, i.e., an ego in command of its synthetic, neutralizing functions. The authors, furthcrmore, consider and make allowances for growth of the ego ideal during one s lifetime; additional identifications with important and loved objects may occur, which are then processed in a form similar to that of earlier identifications. Murray in his paper (5) examined the infantile sources and forms of the ego ideal and on the basis of clinical studies arrived at the conclusion that the ego ideal which retains its original infantile form will play a significant role in the structure of severe neurotic conditions, of traumatic war neurosis, and of highly regressive archaic disturbances. Because of this factor, Murray suggests specific technical steps have to be taken in the analysis of these patients. In one of his cases, that of the gunner, he pointed out that it became highly important to restore the hope for an ideal which had been lost-therapy could not be completed until a new orientation with regard to the concept of self and the hope for the future were established. In another case, that of the clergyman, it became necessary to support the positive transference and to test the compatibility of the patient s life orientation against that of the analyst. The third case, a long and difficult analysis of a patient who is described as aloof and rigidly defended- I have my own world and you cannot enter rame to an impasse until a confrontation occurred between the infantile, narcissistic egotism of the patient and the analyst s standards. On the occasion when the patient revealed a striking lack of responsibility and concern for the fate of his sexual partner, the analyst pointed out to the patient how inappropriately he handled the relationship to his

3 THE EGO IDEAL IN THE ANALYTIC PROCESS 5 19 girl friend and contrasted this with the way in which a mature and considerate man would act in a similar situation. I believe that by taking this step the analyst implicitly presented to the patient his own ego ideal in the form of reality-adjusted behavior. This move led to a dramatic reaction in the patient and advanced the analytic process considerably. The special technical approach in dealing with this type of disturbed patient and the role which the ego ideal of the analyst may play in this constellation lead to some further questions. We ask whether this issue arises only if the psychoanalyst points out directly the irrational, infantile, and narcissistic elements in a patient s ego ideal as he compares it with the age-appropriate, mature consideration of adults. Are there also other ways by which we deal with this same problem in the neurotic disorder described by Murray? And are there other patients whose analysis is influenced greatly by introducing a new model of ego ideal, often quite different from the one the patient had set up for himself in the course of his earlier development? Psychoanalysts who are concerned with training and education are frequently involved in attempts to define more succinctly some of the optimal personality traits of the well-functioning psychoanalyst. In one of these discussions a half-serious statement was finally made: the fundamental requirements may still consist in the classical virtues of ancient Greece: TVisdom, Temperance, Justice, and Courage. TVisdom, as represented by the understanding of human nature and of the intrapsychic processes in oneself as well as in others; Temperance, by the ability to deal with and to tolerate the patient s transference, his emotional appeals or attacks; Justice, by the neutrality and ability to suspend judgment until things speak for themselves; Courage is needed to pursue the truth, to confront the patient with issues he vehemently denies, and to avoid comfortable compromises. Be this as it may, if we study the prevailing attitude of the psychoanalyst, without paying attention to his explicit credo as to his ego ideal, we become aware that these four qualities represent the ideal basis for the analytic atmosphere, that they are part of the essential properties in what we call a good psychoanalyst,

4 520 CREm L. BIBRING and part of the fundamental orientation in his therapeutic activities. We may say that they belong to the psychoanalyst s professional ego ideal and they represent what the patient encounters in his therapeutic contacts. This will take place independently of whether patients, and what kinds of patients, like or dislike this atmosphere and will probably prevail independently of some parameters which may be introduced here and there, wittingly or unwittingly. This then leads to a further question, namely, what effect has this encounter on the patient during his analysis and after termination? We expect that an analysis initiates and sustains a loosening of affects, of libidinal and aggressive impulses, that the transference will revive positive and negative feelings, that an auxiliary superego develops during analysis, and that relocation and reorganization of formerly rigidly invested and maintained positions will take place. IVe appeal to and count on the supreme function of insight leading to the re-evaluation and revision of the neurotic needs and neurotic concepts by a strengthened and maturing ego. Whenever we give thought to the outcome of this process, to the termination of therapy, we find ourselves predominantly involved in the discussion of some of its negative aspects like the difficulties which may occur in the resolution of the transference, or in the persistence of a borrowed auxiliary superego, rooted in the transference neurosis, or we are concerned with those identifications which are based on unresolved transference. But there are also aspects of significant positive nature after the termination of this emotionally and intellectually intense process which deserve our full attention, and yet little has been said about them. Psychoanalysis is more than a transient, therapeutic artefact. It represents an essential developmental phase in the patient s life at a time of flux and reorientation. An intense relationship has been established to a therapist who is willing and capable to help, a person who seems by his very function to be just and wise, courageous and temperate. TVe have to include in the theory of therapy the effect of these factors on the goal-inhibited transference relationship and the use to which they are put, not only during analysis, when they serve the analytic process, but also after termination.

5 THE EGO IDEAL IN THE ANALYTIC PROCESS 521 They are bound to lead to new identifications with the image of the mature analyst, as far as ego ideal; ego, and superego are concerned. Summary The successful analysis is carried by the transference with its revival of infantile impulses and wishes. Transference provides the basis from which we start, makes possible the modification and temporary changes of the superego, and leads to the therapeutic alliance. The ego is set free for its effort to understand and to disentangle itself from blind pressures from both id and superego. The final achievement of this process lies in insight into and understanding of infantile conflicts, defenses, and guilt. At the same time new identifications with a new and mature superego and ego ideal take place which go pari passu with the increasing ability and necessity of achieving sublimation. There are patients whose serious neurotic disturbance is due to an early develop mental arrest or severe traumata, initiating a defensive regressive move into the realm of infantile narcissistic aggrandizement. In his paper Narcissism and the Ego Ideal Murray demonstrated convincingly for a series of such patients the importance of the reorganization of the ego ideal. Indispensable and difficult as it may be for these patients with a deeply rooted narcissistic ego ideal to bring about the necessary changes, this same process represents, in a less arduous form, a factor of importance in evexy analysis which we bring to a successful conclusion. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Fenichel, 0. The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis. New York: Norton, Freud, S. On narcissism: an introduction (1914). Standard Edition, 14: London: Hogarth Press Freud, S. The ego and the id (1923). Standard Edition, 19: London: Hogarth Press, Hartmann, H. & Loervenstein, R. M. Notes on the Superego. The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 17: New York: International Universities Press, Murray, J. M. Narcissism and the Ego Ideal. This journal, , 19M. 6. Nunberg, H. Principles of Psychoanalysis (1935). New York: International Universities Press, Submitted February 21, Garden Street Cambridge 38, Mass.