Ego strength in relation to perception of visual illusions

Abstract

The relationship between the global health level of the personality and perceptual behavior was explored in a fundamental manner independent of specific needs, drives, or psychopathology. Current psychoanalytic theory regarding the nature and functions of the ego served as the basis for the personality construct selected, ego strength. The ability to test reality served to establish the connection between level of ego strength and adequacy of the perceptual system. The selection of the operational definition of ego strength involved the consideration of a number of factors including the population to be studied, the independence of the operation from the behavior under study, the relationship to other research, and the congruence between the measure and the construct's description. An extensive review of the Barron Ego-Strength Scale, a sub-scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), indicted that it was the most reliable and valid measure of ego strength currently available [TRUNCATED]