Ego Development and Psychopathology

Abstract

The relationship between ego development and psychopathology was studied, using Loevinger's Washington University Sentence Completion Blank and ego development rating method. The levels of ego development of the population at a private psychiatric clinic were found to be significantly lower than those of Loevinger's manual construction and revision sample. Using the MMPI as a classification guide, individuals at the lower levels of ego development were found to be primarily diagnosed as character-logical. The relationship between ego development and IQ on the WAIS was also noted. The present study adds credence to the usefulness of Loevinger's Washington University Sentence Completion Test for Ego Development as a clinical instrument.