Skip to Main Content
5
Views
0
CrossRef citations
Altmetric

I. Perspectives of Personality Theory

The Willing Adult

Pages 20-25
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
Translator disclaimer

As part of the current revival of interest in the experiential and integrative possibilities of the Adult ego state the work of Otto Rank is examined. Particular attention is paid to his concept of will as the directing dimension of the personality. Each ego state may be understood as organizing and integrating itself for an appropriate expression of its Will. The goal of personal autonomy is reached in the Integrated Adult which, in this paper is described as the Autonomous Will of the Willing Adult. The Willing Adult directs the responsiveness of the Child, and responsibility of the Parent by means of the receptivity of the Experiencing Adult and the activity of the Analytical Adult.

Additional information

Author information

Thomas Alan Parry

Jon Amundson, PhD, is a Counsellor in Student Services at Red Deer College, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He is also in the private practice of psychotherapy. Thomas Alan Parry, PhD, is a Regular Member of the ITAA. He is a psychologist with the Calgary Family Service Bureau and is in the private practice of psychotherapy.