Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Jane Loevinger is best known for her work in which area of psychology?

1. Psychological testing

2. Ego development

3. Cognitive therapy

4. Behaviorism

The correct answer is: Ego development

Jane Loevinger is recognized primarily for her contributions to the area of ego development, particularly through her development of the Ego Development Theory. This theory posits that personality evolves through distinct stages, each characterized by a different level of ego functioning and self-understanding. Loevinger’s work is significant in that it provides a framework for understanding how individuals perceive themselves and the world around them at different developmental points throughout their lives. The stages of ego development, which include dimensions such as the changes in values, sense of self, and interpersonal relationships, illustrate how personal complexities grow as individuals mature. Her research included the creation of the Loevinger Sentence Completion Test, a tool designed to assess an individual's stage of ego development, highlighting her unique contribution to understanding psychological growth. This focus on the ego's development can help counselors identify where clients may be in their personal growth and guide their therapeutic approaches accordingly. In contrast, the other areas—psychological testing, cognitive therapy, and behaviorism—are more commonly associated with other prominent figures in psychology and do not represent Loevinger’s primary contributions to the field.