Hmmm I like this idea. I do believe that some experimentation has been
done to determine the progression. I do not know the specifics so I can
not say if the science was good... But it seemed to sync with my
recollections when my son was an infant. I still think that *I* is a
meme. It is useful for self organization and recognition. Personality,
identity are needed to function. I think that if it is a continuum,
then when it may go wrong is around the autonomy - ego phase.
I wonder how our rearing affects the growing ego. I think as I try to
conceptualize it, the problems seem to crop up then. Certainly, the
science surrounding child neglect seems to imply that kids do not learn
empathy without a close and attentive caretaker connection. From this
view smacking kids around also would probably lead a child to a negative
view of "other"....
More grist for the mill.
Marie