Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

What is the first stage of Ego Development Theory?

1. Symbiotic Stage

2. Presocial Stage

3. Impulsive Stage

4. Conformist Stage

The correct answer is: Presocial Stage

The first stage of Ego Development Theory is the presocial stage. In this stage, individuals are primarily focused on their immediate sensations and experiences, lacking a sense of social identity or a structured understanding of their environment. This stage represents the earliest aspect of ego development, where the self is not yet fully differentiated from others and the foundational aspects of personality are beginning to form. As the ego evolves, it progresses through various stages characterized by increasing levels of complexity and self-awareness. At the presocial stage, behavior is driven by basic impulses and immediate reactions rather than social norms or expectations, which are more significant in later stages like the impulsive and conformist stages. Recognizing this foundational stage is important in understanding how individuals grow and develop their sense of self and social understanding over time.