Part III, The Growth of the Ego, Chapter 5, Early Ego Failure, Jean Summary and Analysis

Before the chapter begins, Erikson argues that personality develops from a state of relative equilibrium between different behaviors. But sometimes various factors threaten the formation of a stable ego and wee do not feel like ourselves. Psychoanalysts see the shift between excessive wishes (the "id") and the oppressive force of conscience (the "superego") as leading toward an in-between stage at the ego. It balances and wards off the excesses of the id and superego and uses defense mechanisms as a result. The ego evolved to protect in order on which outer order depends.

Chapter 5 discusses Erikson's encounter with a schizophrenic child named Jean. Her human relations moved away from others and noticed no one. Her disorientation was extreme and...