antilibidinal ego

in the object relations theory of British psychoanalyst W. Ronald D. Fairbairn (1889–1964), the portion of the ego structure that is similar to Sigmund Freud’s superego. The antilibidinal ego constitutes a nonpleasure-gratifying, self-deprecatory, or even hostile self-image; it is posited to develop out of the unitary ego present at birth when the infantile libidinal ego (similar to the id) experiences deprivation at the hands of the parent and the infant suppresses his or her frustrated needs. Also called internal saboteur. See Fairbairnian theory.

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Psychology term of the day

December 18th 2024

visual consciousness

those contents of consciousness that have a visual origin. Operationally, such consciousness consists of those visual events that can be reported, distinguished from each other, and acted upon on request. Given these criteria, visual consciousness does not include blindsight.