Ego States and the Problem of Responsibility II: The Case of Patricia W

Abstract

Using the recent case of Patricia Wagner, the author explores the problem dissociation in personality structure poses in balancing justice to an individual with the protection of society. If more normal individuals have within their personality structures “covert” multiple personalities, of which they are but slightly aware; ego states which have developed into almost autonomous behavior patterns, we may be forced to limit or even abandon our concept of individual responsibility. If we are not content to have disposition and punishment revert to earlier concepts of guilt based simply on verified body behavior, we must establish new criteria. Proper adjudication requires new definitions and evaluation procedures to ascertain control, responsibility, culpability and disposition in such cases.