An ego-psychological theory of altered states of consciousness

Abstract

In this paper a new ego-psychological thmry is proposed for the understanding of altered stah of consciousness. The diehob mies of primary and secondary process, ego activity and ego receptivity, and automatization and de-automatization of ego functions in daydreaming, in the inspirational phase of creativity, in hypnosis, in psychedelic stabs, and in meditation are discussed; so are the roles of fantasy, imagery, and various forms of attention.