Empirical Research on Ego State Theory

The objective of this study was to test the validity of ego state theory by showing that ego states are distinct and measurable entities in a general population. A second goal was to explore functional dimensions of the Adapted Child ego state.Two samples of respondents, consisting of 806 and 715 persons drawn from the general population, filled out the Heyer Ego State Personality Profile questionnaire. Factor analysis of the 50 items making up the ego state scales showed that 80%-82% of the items were assigned by the factor analysis procedure to their hypothesized categories, providing evidence that “ego states” as they are defined in TA are distinct and operationally verifiable constructs in a general population.The Adapted Child ego state was shown to consist of at least two principal functional modes: Conforming and Demonstrative. The Demonstrative mode in turn was found to have two principal components which were identified as “rebelliousness' and “bad feelings about self.” The correlation patterns of these functional components indicate the existence of a cluster of generic bad feelings that do not conform to the theory (proposed, for example, by English [1977] and Vallejo [1986]) that one primary emotion lies behind each of the major modes of the Adapted Child. Further research to clarify the functional and structural dimensions of the Adapted Child is recommended. Additional informationNotes on contributorsN. Robert HeyerN. Robert Heyer, M.A., is a Regular Member in ITAA with clinical training in transactional analysis. He heads a behavioral science research consulting firm that provides psychological assessment services

Demonstrative · Feeling · Id, ego and super-ego · Loevinger's stages of ego development · Personality · Population · Sociology · Transactional analysis · Personality Disorders and Psychopathology · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Social Psychology · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy

• Ego States and Preference for Humor

  Open Access•F Donald Kelly, Deborah Osborne•Psychological Reports•1999

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• Transactional Analysis Intra gratlon

  Keith Tudor•Transactional Analysis Journal•1996

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• A Validation of Transactional Analysis in Increasing Self-Esteem among Participants in a Self-Reparenting Program

  Lilian M Wissink•Transactional Analysis Journal•1994

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• Changes in Functional Ego States following Treatment for Drug Abuse

  Robert J Craig, Ronald E Olson•Transactional Analysis Journal•1988

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• Foundations of behavioral research

  Fred N Kerlinger•Foundations of behavioral research•1986

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• Psychophysiological Evidence for the Existence of Ego States

  James R Gilmour•Transactional Analysis Journal•1981

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• The Perception of Parent and Child Ego States

  Henry I J Goldberg, Angela B Summerfield•Transactional Analysis Journal•1982

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• Ego State Dominance and Occupational Role Selection

  Burt R Baldwin, Karen Carney et al.•Transactional Analysis Journal•1986

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• Construct Validity of Transactional Analysis Ego States

  John E Williams, John Watson et al.•Transactional Analysis Journal•1983

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• Development of an Instrument to Measure Ego State Functions and Its Application to Practice

  Richard E Doelker, Jacob Griffiths et al.•Transactional Analysis Journal•1984

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• The Ego State Scale

  Sylvia Thorne, Sharyn Faro•Transactional Analysis Journal•1980

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• An Experimental Paper-and-Pencil Test for Assessing Ego States

  Luciano L'Abate, Luciano L’Abate•Transactional Analysis Journal•1978

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• An Analysis of the Ego States of Battered Women

  Mary L Roark, Stella Vlahos•Transactional Analysis Journal•1983

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• Withdrawal

  Jorge Oiler Vallejo•Transactional Analysis Journal•1986

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