Structures of the self

In this chapter, the author outlines the different structures of the self separately, but in healthy relating there is a seamless fluidity between these functions. The id function is a collection of potential figures, ego function alienates and identifies possibilities. It serves a selecting and rejecting function. There is restriction of alternative figures of interest in order to concentrate on the most prominent, sharpening that figure whilst simultaneously fading other potential figures. Chidiacdraws a useful analogy with the ocean that her have adapted slightly. She describes the different elements of the ocean that make up the whole and all are fluid to a greater or lesser extent. The process of building personality function builds over time and is more sedimented than other functions, but it is still ever changing - although in what the readers might call ‘pathology’ change is resisted or restricted.