Psychology Has It Backwards

Episode 100: What Is Ego?

Oct 9, 2022

Dive into the complex world of ego and its profound effects on our self-identity and relationships. Discover how ego can be both a source of confidence and a mask for insecurity. Explore the damaging impact of ego-driven thoughts on self-esteem and learn the power of embracing authenticity. Through compelling stories, listeners are encouraged to break free from ego's grip and nourish self-acceptance. The conversation also highlights ego's subtle influence in parenting, revealing how understanding our children's true selves can lead to healthier connections.

26:53

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Quick takeaways

Understanding ego is crucial for recognizing how self-perception influences our identities, opinions, and interactions with others.

Shifting the focus from flaws to inherent well-being allows for more immediate and positive changes in mental health outcomes.

Deep dives

Paradigm Shift in Psychology

The episode emphasizes the shift from viewing individuals as fundamentally flawed to recognizing their innate health. This perspective posits that acknowledging people's inherent well-being can transform interactions and improve outcomes in mental health scenarios. By simplifying the understanding of mental distress, this approach allows individuals to experience more immediate and profound changes in their lives. This shift in mindset encourages people to focus on the positives rather than fixating on perceived problems.

Focus on Positive Change to Inspire

01:18

Perception Shapes Reality

01:20

Insecurity Fuels Our Ego

01:17

Intro

6min

Ego and Authenticity

7min

Ego, Insecurity, and Self-Acceptance

4min

The Interaction of Ego and Insecure Thinking

6min

The Subtle Influence of Ego in Parenting and Relationships

4min

Ego, as we use the term, refers to beliefs and ideas we have about ourselves and life. They define who we think we are and how we describe our individual preferences and opinions. We would not have identities without Ego, but without understanding Ego and the misuse of that thinking, it can become a curse and a burden, creating self-judgment, shame, anxiety, disappointment, disillusionment, etc. If we know that our thinking changes, and our thinking about ourselves is within our control and can change, we see that our ideas about the world around us are also variable, and not "right" or "wrong," but dependent on our state of mind and what thoughts we take seriously.

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